Chennai Corporation to start work on junction improvements, road marking and signage at important junctions

Chennai Corporation to enhance junctions with improved signage and road markings, supporting an intelligent transport system for better mobility.

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is set to start work on junction improvements, road marking and signage next month to facilitate the implementation of an intelligent transport system.

The work on the junction improvement project will not include any land acquisition. The intelligent transport system includes the installation of cameras at road junctions for adaptive traffic signal systems and several other projects covering public transport. 

“Civil work has been completed at 104 out of the 165 junctions identified for improvement of traffic signals under the intelligent transport system. Old signals are being replaced. Cameras have been installed, and testing is under way. The work has been delayed at more than 15 locations owing to metro rail work. This is a challenge. We may have to identify alternative junctions to make the project successful,” said an official.

GCC is likely to launch the Intelligent Transport System in July, covering 165 junctions of the city.  In a bid to make it operational, many streetlights will be replaced, said an official. Ahead of the launch of work on zebra crossings, road markings and signage, the Corporation is planning to identify new junctions as an alternative to the locations that have been shelved because of metro rail work.

The work on signage and road marking is expected to be completed in May. In addition to the junction improvement work by GCC for the intelligent transport system, Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) is also set to suggest more projects for improving mobility in the Chennai Metropolitan Area, covering 5,904 sq.km. A meeting was held this week to identify projects for next year and to expedite the work already under way.

“As we have launched a comprehensive mobility plan for 25 years, we are expediting the projects to promote mobility. We have also launched a parking policy. CUMTA’s role is considerable. Many more initiatives are in the pipeline like junction improvement and multi-modal integration,” said an official.