MMRDA launches longest orthotropic steel deck of 180 metres on Trans Harbour Link

The OSD, a steel deck superstructure being used for the first time in the country, will carry the vehicular load more efficiently and improve the load carrying capacity of the bridge, as compared to a concrete superstructure. The OSD also weighs lesser than concrete girders.

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So far, five steel girders or OSDs have been launched on the MTHL. On January 3, MMRDA had launched the first OSD on the MTHL which was 70-metres long. There will be a total of 70 OSDs on MTHL.

“The 2500 MT OSD was launched on Thursday evening on package 1 of the MTHL on Mumbai side lane .This is the longest steel span and is a milestone in the construction of the MTHL,” MMRDA Commissioner SVR Srinivas told The Indian Express.

“These steel decks are being used to ensure that ships traversing the channel adjoining MTHL have navigation space to pass under the bridge. The choice of conventional concrete decks would have meant building closer foundations for the piers,” said another official.
Officials said the steel spans are constructed in workshops located in Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan and Myanmar.

MTHL, a 21.8-km-long six-lane sea link, will connect the Mumbai Bay from Sewri to Chirle in Navi Mumbai (Navi Mumbai airport), and is expected to be completed by 2023. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 18,000 crore and nearly 60 per cent of work has been completed.

The MMRDA is also planning to connect the MTHL to the Mumbai-Pune Expressway from Chirle, which will allow motorists to directly take the Expressway from Worli, lowering travel time considerably.