Noida: Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has erected a 58-metre steel span across NH-9 and the Delhi-Meerut Expressway near Noida Electronic City station on the Blue Line. The span is part of a reversal facility being built to allow trains to turn around after completing trips.The project involves the installation of two steel spans — 58 metres and 73 metres — both crossing NH-9 and the expressway. The 58-metre span has now been installed between piers 384 and 385, while the 73-metre span is expected to be erected later this year. DMRC said tracks will be laid, electrified and other system works will be taken up after the civil work is completed.Principal executive director of DMRC Anuj Dayal said the span was erected without disrupting traffic. “The operation was particularly challenging as the span also had to pass beneath an energised high-tension overhead power line near pier 384. For the installation, steel trestles were erected at designated locations on the highway and expressway, on which support beams were placed,” he said. The prefabricated steel span was then launched from the Indirapuram side and slowly pulled into position using specialised machinery until it was placed between the piers. The span has been installed about 14 metres above the highway and expressway.DMRC has previously executed such construction works over busy road intersections, including the Moolchand intersection and the Airport Line and Pink Line viaducts at Dhaula Kuan. However, officials said this is the first instance of a Delhi Metro viaduct being constructed over an operational expressway without interrupting traffic.In May, the construction of a metro pillar by DMRC on the Indirapuram side of NH-9/DME led to the closure of the slip road connecting NH-9 to CISF Road.
