Chennai, Nov 15 (NationPress) Tamil Nadu's Arcot town is on the brink of experiencing more fluid and secure travel as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) gears up to unveil a new elevated corridor and an underpass along the Chennai–Bengaluru Highway (NH-48) shortly.

This initiative, which has been constructed at an expense of Rs 22 crore, aims to alleviate long-standing traffic congestion and mitigate accident risks at one of the most frequented junctions in the Ranipet district of the state.

Officials from the NHAI stated that the newly erected elevated corridor and the underpass near the vital tri-junction will greatly facilitate movement along this heavily trafficked segment, designated as a 'black spot' based on accident statistics provided regularly by district police.

Upon completion, vehicles departing from Chennai, including government buses and school vans, will be directed over the new two-lane, 15-meter-wide elevated structure, while drivers coming from Bengaluru will continue using the existing roadway.

The underpass situated beneath the structure, designed with a height of 4.5 meters and a width of 20 meters, will enable two-wheelers, cars, and buses to make safe U-turns and access important localities.

For countless residents, this facility will remove the necessity of traveling nearly 1.5 km just to cross to the other side of the highway. A commuter from Arcot remarked, 'It will help us reach the market, schools, banks, and hospitals with much less delay.'

The addition of the single underpass is also projected to significantly lower the number of U-turn points along the route, consequently decreasing the likelihood of side-impact collisions.

The area surrounding this stretch is home to schools, hospitals, government offices, and the Arcot bus terminus, highlighting the need for controlled crossings to ensure public safety.

Final preparations are underway prior to the official launch. NHAI teams are currently applying the last black-topping layer on the elevated corridor to guarantee a smooth surface. The installation of LED street lights, reflectors, warning signs, and blinkers is also progressing to boost visibility and overall safety.

Highway engineers assert that the positioning of the new underpass complies with national standards, which suggest such facilities be installed at intervals of approximately 1.5 km along busy corridors and near congested intersections.

With this enhancement, the Chennai–Bengaluru highway between Krishnagiri and Walajapet—spanning 148 km and previously containing 19 underpasses—will benefit from another crucial safety feature aimed at diminishing accidents and elevating commuter convenience in the Arcot area.