feel of the expressway,

Bangalore Mirror got a feel of the expressway, coasting on the yet-to-be opened flyover and found the experience ‘exhilarating’ The expressway will be inaugurated at 3 pm tomorrow
SRIDHAR VIVAN


Asmooth drive from Central Silk Board to Electronics City in less than 10 minutes. This is what the new expressway, which will be thrown open for traffic on Friday, will ensure for those bound for Electronics City.
To get a feel of the 9.5-km expressway, Bangalore Mirror conducted a test drive. We began from the Electronics City side. A green board informs you about the ‘toll road ahead’.
The toll plazas are located at the entrance, while there are separate lanes for manual and smart cards’ collection. There are three entrances to the flyover: one from Electronics City Phase II, Phase I and Hosur Road.
So far, Bangaloreans have only seen the expressway from outside. Once you ascend, it’s a whole ‘new world’ out there. While cruising, one can get a glimpse of the metropolis with lakes on either side and the software companies standing tall.
Those fed up with changing gears every now and then, can cruise at top gear (sticking to speed limit, of course) till you finally descend at the end of the flyover. But one has to be careful at the curve, where speeding could prove fatal.
Flyovers are criticised for ‘shifting the traffic’ from one end to the other. Here too, vehicles could pile up at the Silk Board junction, after which you will be swarmed by traffic moving at a snail’s pace.
THE FIRSTS
Longest flyover in Bangalore 10-lane highway in city Bangaloreans have to pay to drive on flyover
THE PLUSES
Hassle-free drive Bypasses crucial bottlenecks Well-lit road Good view of Bangalore No humps or other impediments
THE MINUSES
Bottlenecks at: Central Silk Board St John’s Hospital junction Forum Mall Dairy Circle