The construction of the proposed bridge parallel to the existing one at Akkulam is likely to be launched within a month.
The work is a component of the project to widen the Kazhakuttam-Mukkola stretch of the NH-66 bypass.
The excavation for the creation of a bund to facilitate the construction had got under way over two months ago. The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has set the target of completing the construction of pile foundation for the bridge, along with those of the others proposed under the project, before the next monsoon season.
The proposed bridge will be 396 metres long and 10 metres wide and will include space for footpaths on either side. The NHAI has planned the project so as to facilitate one-way traffic along the old and new bridges towards both directions. The additional bridge was necessitated in view of the bottleneck the existing one, which was opened for traffic in 2000, could create after the widening of the NH bypass stretch.
According to sources, the design for the proposed bridge has been submitted by the contractor to the NHAI after being examined by the project consultant.
The approval for the proposed design is expected to be granted by a week after making the necessary modifications.
In view of the impending monsoon, a sense of urgency has set upon the ongoing works.
“We hope to complete the construction of the three proposed major bridges within a year. However, there was a looming possibility of the monsoon affecting the project. Under the circumstances, it is pertinent that the project stuck to its schedule,” the source said.
