Crash barrier coming up at Karur Bypass Road overbridge

The long-felt need of motorists for establishment of safety railings along the overbridge on the Karur Bypass Road - a major arterial road within the city limits - is set to be addressed.

The Tiruchi Corporation has embarked on the task of installing crash barrier on either sides of the Karur Bypass Road overbridge which witnesses heavy vehicle density all through the day.

The work of installing metal pillars is already over with the remaining work of fixing of plates, per national highways specification, would be taken up soon. The crash barrier would come up along the bridge portion of the stretch that connects Salai Road and Shastri Road with the Tiruchi - Karur national highway. The road has emerged as one of the busiest roads in the city in recent years.

The civic body is putting in place this safety measure at a cost of Rs. 50 lakh from its general fund, a senior Corporation official said. Reflective stickers would also be pasted on the crash barriers which would be ready soon, the official said.

Absence of safety railing along the Karur Bypass Road has been posing a huge threat to motorists. The situation turns trickier, especially while negotiating a curve on approaching the bridge and while descending. It turns worse during night hours when lighting is absent along the bridge portion.

Civic activists have long been demanding installation of a barrier pointing out that in the absence of railing, motorists could easily skid and fall over the steep crevices on the sides.

With a heavy growth of thorny bushes on both sides of the bridge, a fall could prove to be highly dangerous for two-wheelers.

Very often motorists especially two -wheeler riders are forced to drive on the edge of the road risking their lives when a speeding bus or a goods carrier comes from behind and overtakes them. The crash barrier would act as a safety measure to prevent motorists from falling down, the official said.

Source