The Periyar Nagar bridge on Thiruvanaikovil Trunk Road was closed for traffic on Monday as scheduled, paving the way for the Highways Department to commence construction of the new road overbridge.
The old narrow bridge would be demolished to build a new four-lane bridge. Highways Department sources said the width of the carriageways on each side would be seven metres. The police have enforced elaborate traffic diversions in view of the closure of the bridge. The Highways Department is planning to complete construction of the bridge in 18 months.
First, a subway would be built to allow at least light vehicles through it to reduce the traffic congestion. It is expected to the ready in about 45 days. The diversions would be in force for seven weeks, the police said. The closure of the bridge resulted in heavy traffic on Thiruvanaikovil Trunk Road from the Kumbakonathan Salai Junction and on Gandhi Road, especially during the peak hours.
A section of the residents of Srirangam suggested that more traffic constables be deployed to regulate traffic until the work is completed. “On the first day, we could see a sharp increase in traffic in Srirangam. Motorists were using narrow lanes and by-lanes through Veereswaram and other places. While the construction of the new bridge is vital, it is important to deploy more police to regulate traffic in and around Srirangam,” said J.Anantha Padmanabhan, a resident. He urged the police to prevent indiscriminate parking of vehicles on roadsides.
S. Pushpavanam, secretary, Consumer Protection Council, Tamil Nadu, urged the Highways Department to expedite the construction of the bridge and take necessary technical support to use advanced technology to complete the bridge within nine months in view of huge waste of fuel and time for motorists due to detour they have to take.
