Thiruvallam service bridge likely to open in four months as NHAI speeds up work
T’puram: Thousands of motorists using the NH 66 bypass in the capital could heave a sigh of relief within the next four months, with National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) planning to open the long-awaited Thiruvallam service bridge to traffic. The new bridge is expected to ease congestion, eliminate dangerous wrong-side driving on the existing bridge, reduce accidents and ensure smoother traffic movement along one of the busiest stretches of the national highway.
The construction of the service bridge has now crossed the 80% completion mark, with girder launching currently under way, placing the project in its final phase. According to NHAI, the remaining works are expected to be completed within the next four months.
The 360-metre-long and 12-metre-wide bridge is being built parallel to the existing Thiruvallam bridge on the eastern side. Once operational, it will exclusively cater to vehicles travelling from Ambalathara towards Thiruvallam and Pachalloor , while the existing bridge will continue to function as the main carriageway of NH 66 bypass. The project also includes 1.5-metre-wide footpaths on both sides to improve pedestrian safety.
The process is progressing one girder at a time, making it a time-intensive operation that has contributed to the delay in completing the project.
“Girder launching is a highly specialised and time-consuming activity, and each girder has to be positioned individually with utmost precision. Once this phase is completed, the remaining work will progress much faster. We are confident of opening the service bridge for traffic within the next four months, provided there are no unforeseen interruptions,” a senior NHAI official told TOI.
The construction of the service bridge has now crossed the 80% completion mark, with girder launching currently under way, placing the project in its final phase. According to NHAI, the remaining works are expected to be completed within the next four months.
The 360-metre-long and 12-metre-wide bridge is being built parallel to the existing Thiruvallam bridge on the eastern side. Once operational, it will exclusively cater to vehicles travelling from Ambalathara towards Thiruvallam and Pachalloor , while the existing bridge will continue to function as the main carriageway of NH 66 bypass. The project also includes 1.5-metre-wide footpaths on both sides to improve pedestrian safety.
The process is progressing one girder at a time, making it a time-intensive operation that has contributed to the delay in completing the project.
“Girder launching is a highly specialised and time-consuming activity, and each girder has to be positioned individually with utmost precision. Once this phase is completed, the remaining work will progress much faster. We are confident of opening the service bridge for traffic within the next four months, provided there are no unforeseen interruptions,” a senior NHAI official told TOI.
Next Story