A week ago, motorists on Cathedral Road-TTK Road-Radhakrishnan Salai would have noticed an unusual traffic arrangement at the junction connecting the three stretches.
The Chennai Traffic Police were trying it out with the objective of analysing traffic flow and vehicular movement on these stretches.
This exercise is linked to the Chennai Corporation’s initiative to revamp the space under the flyover at the intersection, for conducting public events.
Traffic cones were placed around the intersection to streamline the traffic flow.
“The traffic police ran a trial from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on a busy day to study the changing traffic volumes during these hours,” says Balchand Parayath, a member of Chennai City Connect Foundation, which provides technical assistance to the Chennai Corporation for this project, along with Institution for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP).
He adds, “The results were satisfactory. The Traffic Commissioner submitted the report to the Chennai Corporation and has given a green signal for the construction of traffic islands closer to the intersection.”
Apart from streamlining the traffic flow, the traffic islands will facilitate safe pedestrian crossing and also enable a free left turn.
“Each road at the four-leg intersection near the Music Academy and CSI Good Shepard Church will enable a free-left turn. Considering there will be a lot of pedestrian movement at the junction, the traffic signals will be tweaked accordingly,” explains Balchand.
Cosmetic changes
According to Chennai City Connect, about 80% of the beautification process has been completed. Thermoplastic painting, creation of zebra crossings, installation of lamps and water connections are some of the major works.
“We want the area to be well-lit so that it is not misused at night. Besides, restaurants in the vicinity have agreed, in principle, to maintain and beautify the space periodically. As part of this arrangement, we have asked the corporates to deploy security personnel to prevent people from sticking posters and sleeping there,” says Balchand.
No parking, please
As part of the project, the space under the flyover will have raised platforms and a raft of cosmetic changes to facilitate public activities such as music concerts, street dramas, talks, dance, book reading, art and craft exhibitions, food festivals, light-and-sound shows and also activities for children.
According to Mathivanan of KSM Architecture, which is providing design consultancy for the project, the sound and lighting necessary for the activities will be organised through CSR, NGO and public funding.
A space has been allocated for parking an (108) ambulance under the flyover.
“Parking space has been planned only for officials, including the traffic police. Indiscriminate public parking under the flyover will not be allowed. Nearby commercial establishments will identify or cater to their customers' parking needs. Since the public activities are predominantly planned for weekends and public holidays, we do not expect much hindrance,” says Mathivanan.