A steel portal erected at the southern entrance of the Moidu Bridge to prevent heavily loaded vehicles from entering the bridge was damaged on Tuesday apparently after it was hit by a vehicle.
The vehicular movement through the bridge was affected for some time, leading to traffic blocks on the National Highway on either side of the bridge.
A portion of the portal on the southern entrance of the bridge was found broken and the base plate of the portal was damaged. The portal was installed in April to block heavily loaded vehicles from entering the bridge, which is in a dilapidated condition.
The police and Fire and Rescue Services personnel rushed to the spot. Vehicles from Kannur and Thalassery sides were rerouted through Mambaram and Koduvally.
According to officials of the Public Works Department (National Highway division) the damage could have been caused when a heavy vehicle hit the portal. The lower portion of the portal had shifted from the base plate probably due to a hard hit which pushed the structure forward. Small vehicles were allowed through the bridge by noon.
The officials said that work on the portal had resumed and it would be replaced shortly.
Keywords: Moidu Bridge
