Under the upgrade, the existing six-lane national highway will be converted into an expressway-standard corridor with strictly controlled entry and exit points. Direct access from village roads and roadside establishments will be eliminated, reducing the risk of accidents caused by sudden crossings and unregulated merging traffic.

To support local mobility and economic activity, two-lane service roads will be constructed on both sides of the expressway. Local traffic will be diverted to these service roads, while long-distance vehicles will use the main carriageway. Strategic interchanges at Muppavaram and Kaja will connect the corridor with key routes, including the Amaravati Outer Ring Road and the Vijayawada Western Bypass.

The upgraded stretch is emerging as a critical link in Andhra Pradesh’s logistics network, connecting with the Bengaluru–Amaravati greenfield expressway and strengthening the Bengaluru–Vijayawada Economic Corridor. As the 343-kilometre corridor approaches completion, the Muppavaram interchange is expected to develop into a major inland transit hub, enhancing freight movement and regional connectivity.

The project is also expected to unlock economic potential along the Visakhapatnam–Chennai Industrial Corridor. Improved travel times are likely to strengthen Guntur’s role as a logistics centre, while urban expansion in Vijayawada and surrounding areas such as Kaja and Mangalagiri is accelerating. Enhanced connectivity is reshaping real estate dynamics, with growing interest in residential and industrial development near expressway interchanges.

Safety remains a key driver of the upgrade. By removing at-grade intersections and uncontrolled crossings, the expressway design is expected to reduce the risk of high-speed collisions by nearly 60 per cent. The controlled corridor environment is designed to deliver smoother traffic flow, improved predictability and greater confidence for motorists.

Beyond transportation, the NH-16 upgrade represents a strategic infrastructure intervention with long-term implications for investment, logistics and urban growth. By integrating high-speed mobility with local access systems, the corridor is positioned to become a cornerstone of Andhra Pradesh’s economic and infrastructure transformation.