Mumbai: The reconstructed Sion railway bridge, replacing a 112-year-old colonial-era structure, is expected to open to traffic in the second half of October, easing congestion in Sion, Kurla and Dharavi after two years of disruption.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Additional Municipal Commissioner Abhijit Bangar said the opening date had not been finalised. He has directed officials to complete the work on priority, setting October 15 as the deadline, ahead of the original February 2027 completion schedule.

The 54.5-metre-long, 29-metre-wide bridge has a single-span, pillar-free design over the railway tracks. This will accommodate the proposed fifth and sixth railway lines between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Kurla under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project.

The old bridge was declared unsafe following a structural audit by IIT Bombay in 2019, prompting authorities to dismantle and reconstruct it.

During the closure, motorists were forced to take detours via Dharavi Bridge, BKC-Chunabhatti Link Road and Santacruz-Chembur Link Road, worsening congestion. The reopening is expected to restore a crucial east-west connection, particularly benefiting Dharavi residents.

Central Railway reconstructed the main girder section, while the BMC’s bridges department handled the approach roads. The entire project is being funded by railway authorities.

Deck concreting on the two 500-tonne steel girders was completed on August 21 and 29, respectively. Crash barriers and the concrete wearing coat have also been completed.

Work on the western approach road, connecting Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg to Sant Rohidas Marg in Dharavi, was nearing completion. Construction of the eastern approach began after Central Railway handed over the required land to the BMC on August 25.