The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Four-lane at North bridge mooted

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Saturday, Aug 23, 2008
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Kerala - Kochi

Four-lane at North bridge mooted

John L. Paul

PWD estimates that new bridge would cost Rs. 36 crore

Footpath and existing bays to be added to bridge’s width
Railways would have give 50 per cent of the funds

KOCHI: The PWD (Roads and Bridges wing) has submitted a proposal to pull down the beams and slabs of the Ernakulam North bridge and recast them, so as to modify the bridge and convert it into a four-lane one.

The agency has termed the bridge as structurally unsafe for traffic, since the beams and slabs are weak and the bridge shakes when heavy vehicles use it. The Government is yet to take a decision on the issue since as of now, there is no alternative bridge that motorists can use when the re-construction is on.

The Railways say that the adjacent Pullepady bridge, work on which is at a standstill, will take another six months to get over.

Under the PWD proposal for the North bridge, the existing bridge’s pillars will be maintained.

The footpaths and the two/three-wheeler bays will be added to the existing bridge’s width. A 60-cm wide footpath will be constructed afresh on one side. The existing steepness would be reduced by extending the western end.

A senior PWD official said that the proposal for a four-lane bridge was submitted to the PWD Chief Engineer, District Collector and the Advocate General. The new bridge has been estimated to cost Rs. 36 crore. Being a bridge being built over the rails, the Railways too would have to give their nod and pool in 50 per cent of the funds.

The present bridge was built in the sixties.

As of now, the narrow and steep bridge poses a major obstacle to the movement of vehicles since it has a four-lane road on the eastern side (Kaloor).

The bridge would also have a four lane, which would mean that the approach road on the western side – from the Ernakulam Town Hall junction to Kacheripady, too would have to be widened into a four-lane one. Some encroachments alongside the bridge too would have to be removed.

A senior Railway engineer said that at first, the PWD must submit a proposal to the Chief Bridge Engineer of the Railways, for widening the bridge.

“The Railways would give its share from its safety fund, after earmarking it in the Rail budget. The land acquisition part must be taken care of by the Revenue department.”

He said that the bridge cannot be rebuilt unless the Pullepady bridge is opened to traffic and the GCDA resurfaces the unmotorable Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road.

The 30-metre rail portion of the Pullepady overbridge is the sole work pending, since the Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala completed the bridge’s approach spans around three years ago.

The Railway contractor gave up the work over a year ago, following which it was re-tendered. The sole contractor who submitted a bid quoted at Rs. 169 lakh, whereas the Railways estimated the work to be worth a maximum of Rs. 80 lakh.

A proposal to modify the carriageway of the South bridge too is pending and the Railways is expected to take a decision at the Divisional level. In the long run, the South bridge too would have to be widened into a four-lane one or a new bridge built parallel to it near Atlantis junction, to ensure smooth flow of vehicles.

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