NHAI has fast-tracked the construction work on the widening of 70-km Sriperumbudur-Walajapet highway stretch of the Chennai-Bengaluru highway in a phased manner involving an investment of ₹1,1 88.36 crore. The road stretch is being upgraded into a six-lane facility with service lanes and around 30 flyovers and underpasses at an investment of ₹655 crore. The 34-km stretch between Sriperumbudur and Karaipettai is being widened with the construction of three flyovers, eight underpasses, four underpasses for light vehicles and five minor bridges. This section is likely to be completed in December 2022 and that the work on the second portion between Karaipettai and Walajapet is being completed at a cost of ₹533.36 crore. Around 13 km of the carriageway has been widened into six lanes and 19 km of the road will have service lanes. Construction of four vehicular underpasses has also commenced and these spots are getting lit up simultaneously instead of waiting till the completion of the project as is the usual practice. It will serve a dual purpose, the worksite would be well-lit and motorists too would find it useful. Continuous service lanes will be built for the safety of two-wheeler riders and cyclists as several industries are on either side of the road. Illumination will be provided in all urban areas and service roads and the project is expected to be ready by March 2022.
