Koraiyar bridge to be opened soon

A new additional two-lane bridge built across the Koraiyar on the city stretch of Tiruchi-Dindigul Highway is expected to be opened soon.

Barring finishing touches such as painting, construction of the bridge has been completed, Highways department sources said.

It was in March 2016 that former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa laid the foundation for the bridge sanctioned at a cost of Rs. 4.90 crore under the Comprehensive Road Infrastructure Development Programme. Subsequently, technical sanction was given for Rs. 5.39 crore. However, construction began on a sluggish note after preliminary works were carried out at the site.

With a large number of residential colonies and educational institutions coming up along the highway in recent years, the bridge was necessitated in view of the sharp increase in the volume of traffic on the road. The old two-lane bridge across the river was thought as too narrow.

The Tiruchi-Dindigul National Highway has already been widened by National Highways Authority of India beyond Kallikudi.

The new bridge, with a carriage way of 7.50 metre in width, will cater to traffic on one direction, with the existing one retained for movement on the other. The eight-span bridge will have a footpath of 1.50 metre width on either side. The bridge runs a length of 105.64 metre and is expected to ease flow of traffic near Dheeran Nagar.

“A few final stage works such as a revetment, provision of water outlets and painting is to be done. The works will be over within the next few days,” an official said.

Although the original estimate does not provide for a road divider between the old and new bridges on the approach road, a separate estimate has been approved for the structure, which will be built soon, the official added.

Source