THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: If things go well, the city residents and daily commuters will be able to use the new bridge at Akkulam within two months. National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has began fixing girders on the new alignment situated adjacent to the old bridge. The process of casting girders began a week ago after the work on the pillars were over. The construction of a new bridge was necessitated after it was decided to widened the two lane road from Kazhakootam to Mukkola into a six lane highway complete with service roads and median.
As per the reports received from NHAI, a single girder with an approximate length of 24 metres is being fixed on the pillars. A total of 54 such girders will be installed. The works on the installation is progressing at a fast pace. Once the installation of girders is completed, concrete bitumen will be laid on it. Subsequently, tarring will begin to make the bridge fit for vehicular traffic by the end of December, sources said.
According to R Venkatakrishnan, Project Director, NHAI, the new bridge at Akkulam form a major component in the widening of Kazhakootam-Mukkola stretch and is expected to be finished within two months.
“The new bridge will serve as a major connection between the city and the IT corridor. We are in the process of completing the construction of the bridge and will be doing so at the earliest. The works are going on in haste since the monsoon is round the corner. The installation of the girders will be completed this week itself and concrete works will be begin soon after that,” a top official said.
The proposed bridge will be 396 metres long and 10 metres wide. It will also have space for footpaths on either side. The project will facilitate one-way traffic through the old and new bridges in both directions. The old bridge was opened to traffic in 2000.
The toll for the bypass will likely be installed at Thiruvallam. This will enable residents to travel between Kazhakootam and the city centre without paying tolls.
Apart from this bridge, a railway over-bridge at Chakkai and a bridge at Thiruvallam will be constructed. The construction of pillars of Chakkai ROB is underway. While, the preliminary works for the bridge at Thiruvallam too has begun. The construction will begin within a month.
NHAI is looking forward to complete the bridges, underpasses and flyovers on time so that there is no delay in the completion of the NH development. The major project in the city is already behind schedule.