The Eastern Freeway Extension has reached a major construction milestone with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) installing its first heavy precast segment above the Eastern Express Highway (EEH). The 13.9-km elevated corridor is being built to strengthen Mumbai-Thane connectivity and ease congestion on the existing highway.
Weighing more than 90 tonnes, the first segment was placed on pier P-78 near Bhandup Pumping Station using a 115-metre-long Mechanical Launching Gantry-01 (LG-01). The installation was carried out while traffic continued to operate on the highway below.
The specialised gantry can lift, move and position large precast sections with limited ground support, reducing the space required on the road and helping minimise traffic disruption. The equipment underwent independent third-party testing before being deployed.
Following the first installation, LG-01 will progressively place 1,632 precast segments towards Mumbai. These sections will be connected through longitudinal post-tensioning to form complete bridge spans. A second launching gantry, LG-02, will operate from Vikhroli towards Mumbai, while a Ground Support System will continue work between Bhandup, Kanjurmarg and Thane.
The project will comprise 288 spans, each typically measuring 40 metres and consisting of 16 segments. Individual segments can weigh up to 106 tonnes, while a complete span may reach 1,450 tonnes. The structure will have a 25-metre-wide upper deck and a seven-metre lower width.
Foundation and supporting works are also progressing, with 81% of monopiles, 19% of group piles, 51% of piers and 33% of pier caps completed. Casting has been completed for 135 of the planned 3,732 precast segments.
The corridor will pass through Anand Nagar, Mulund, Airoli, JVLR, Vikhroli, Kanjurmarg, Mankhurd and Ghatkopar before reaching Cheda Nagar. Once operational, it is expected to bring South Mumbai-Thane travel time down to around 25–30 minutes while providing an additional high-capacity route across the MMR.
Source: The Free Press Journal
