Last slip road ready 2 months after Gokhale bridge opened for traffic in Mumbai

Mumbai: Nearly two months after Andheri's Gokhale bridge was reopened to traffic, the final pending slip road, which connects Andheri (E) to Western Express Highway, has been completed and final finishing work is underway. Located on the northeast side of Gokhale bridge, it will offer motorists an additional access point to Western Express Highway, easing traffic movement towards Bisleri traffic junction and southbound destinations. While three slip roads were opened in May, the fourth one was delayed due to land acquisition issues. Civic officials confirmed that possession was secured by demolishing compound walls along the alignment. Dhaval Shah of the Andheri Lokhandwala Citizens Association, however, pointed out that one component of the bridge works is still pending: Staircases. "The slip road will help divert some amount of traffic towards Western Express Highway, which till now had to head straight from Andheri (E) as there is no left turn owing to the ongoing works," Shah said.Gokhale bridge saw a full opening on the evening of May 11. This came over a year after the first phase of the bridge opened on Feb 26, 2024.The bridge was shut in Nov 2022 after an inspection revealed that various elements, including RCC columns, tie beams, girders, deck slab, and bearings, were heavily distressed and weakened due to corrosion. C D Barfiwala flyover connected to it was also shut as it landed directly on the bridge.