Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Aug 9: The reconstruction of Mumbai’s Sion Road Over Bridge (ROB) has reached a major milestone with the installation of both main steel girders, each weighing around 500 tonnes, Central Railway said on Sunday.

The second girder was successfully launched during a three-hour night block between Matunga and Kurla, following the installation of the first girder earlier. The two massive girders were positioned over the active railway corridor during separate night blocks to minimise disruption to suburban train services.

The new bridge will have a railway span of around 54.5 metres, significantly wider than the approximately 40-metre span of the old structure. The additional width is required to accommodate the extra railway lines planned under the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)-Kurla fifth and sixth line project.

The semi-through steel girders were fabricated in Nagpur and assembled at the eastern approach of the bridge before being moved into position over the railway tracks.

The launching operation involved temporary trestles, hydraulic systems and winching equipment. Engineers also carried out detailed alignment and safety checks before placing the massive structures over the railway corridor.

With both main girders now in place, work will move to the next stage, including construction of the deck slab, road approaches, surfacing and crash barriers.

Once completed, the reconstructed Sion ROB is expected to restore the important east-west road connection between the Eastern Express Highway, LBS Road and Dharavi Road.

The old bridge had been closed to traffic, affecting vehicular movement in the area and forcing motorists to take alternative routes.

The reconstruction is being undertaken in connection with the CSMT-Kurla fifth and sixth line project, which aims to expand railway infrastructure along the heavily congested suburban corridor.

Earlier in June, Central Railway had launched the first 500-tonne semi-through steel girder during a night traffic block between Matunga and Kurla stations.

The first girder was fabricated in Ambala and assembled at the project site before being launched over the active railway tracks.

The installation of the two massive girders was considered one of the most challenging stages of the bridge reconstruction, given the need to carry out the work over one of the country's busiest suburban railway corridors while minimising disruption to train services.

With the major girder-launching work now completed, construction activity is set to move towards the final structural and roadwork stages of the Sion ROB project.