Embankment restoration of Ullal bridge under progress

DHNS

• One-way traffic on the stretch to continue for three days

 

Mangalore, 11 June 2011: The traffic chaos on National Highway 66 following the breach in Ullal bridge embankment continued on Saturday. The restoration work is under progress and the normal traffic is expected to be restored within three days.

 

Speaking to NHAI Project Director P N Gavasane said that the restoration work of the Ullal bridge is on full swing. Already three lifts of concrete have been placed since Friday.

 

The first lift was put on Friday morning, the second on midnight and the third on Saturday morning.  The back filling of the earth soil was in progress throughout the night.

 

“It will take at least three days for the concrete to gain strength and the one-way traffic will have to be continued for the next three days,” he added.

 

He also informed that during inspection, few loose stones were found in the approach that had collapsed for seven metres on Friday morning. It might have happened due to rains, he said and added that the rest of the approaches are strong or else even they would have collapsed.

 

Bridge safe

 

“There have been rumors that the bridge has collapsed spreading fear among the travellers. The bridge is quiet strong and safe to travel,” said Gavasane.

 

Traffic jam

 

The traffic jam continued to affect the travellers on the road on Saturday. The buses were late by more than half an hour to reach the city. However, on Friday night, several buses had cut short their trips fearing that there might be traffic jam, causing severe inconvenience to public.

 

The police were seen diverting trucks and bullet tankers on the highway at Mahaveera Circle to reach Thokkottu via B C Road and Konaje. The bridge was built in 1964.