Construction of the long-awaited creek bridge connecting Bhayander and Naigaon may start soon, providing relief to lakhs of motorists. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has floated a tender to select a contractor. The bridge is slated to benefit around 8 lakh commuters who travel from Vasai-Virar to Mira-Bhayander.

The 5 km-long bridge will have six lanes, three for each side, and be constructed parallel to the existing railway bridge, across the creek. “We have invited bids for the Vasai-Bhayander creek bridge, which will be opened in around a month’s time. Then we will take around another month to issue work orders and commence construction by November,” Dilip Kawathkar, joint project director (PR) MMRDA, said.

The bridge, which has been in the pipeline for several years, has seen several delays owing to environmental clearances. It will decongest the National Highway 8, which at present is the only access route between Mumbai and Gujarat, and is plagued with traffic snarls as it serves motorists and transporters travelling to and from Gujarat.

“The new bridge will easily cut travel time by 45 minutes for motorists travelling between Vasai and Bhayander,” an MMRDA official said.

Once construction commences, officials said that it will take around three years for the bridge to be completed.

The MMRDA is also planning a road link between Dahisar and Bhayander, which will connect with the bridge between Bhayander and Naigaon. No decision has been taken on charging of toll.

MMRDA is also developing the Versova-Bandra Sea Link, for which construction should start in October, and the Trans-Harbour Sea Link connecting Sewri and Navi Mumbai.