The Hindu 22.10.2010
Bridge strengthening work begins
Staff Reporter
| Work on the 45-year-old structure at Kodambakkam will be completed in a year |
The Kodambakkam bridge is one of the crucial links to west Chennai localities.
CHENNAI: The work to strengthen the 45-year-old Kodambakkam bridge began on Thursday.
It is being strengthened at a cost of Rs.4.74 crore and the project will be completed in a year, Mayor M. Subramanian said after launching the work.
The bridge, which is 623 metres long and 12.8 metres wide, is an important link to several localities in west Chennai and the suburbs. Similar works to restore and strengthen 10 bridges and subways in various parts of the city are under way, at a cost of Rs.8.39 crore, he added.
Micro concrete would be used to repair the Kodambakkam Bridge and wet wrapping method would be followed to strengthen and preserve the columns.
As the bearings of the bridge are damaged, special jacks would be used to raise the height of the bridge during the repair work.
his part of the work would be done only after completion of the Rangarajapuram flyover, as the work demands diversion of traffic. All the joints would be replaced by strip seal joints. The Rangarajapuram flyover is expected to be commissioned in January next year.
The foundation stone for the Kodambakkam bridge was laid in September 1963 and work was completed in September 1965.
A study commissioned by the civic body had recommended strengthening of the facility. Iron rods of the bridge were found exposed in many parts due to wear and tear.
During the study, it was also found that the expansion joints had weakened because of water seepage, which had to be arrested.
To facilitate the repair work the shops beneath the bridge would be vacated temporarily.
At least 100 shops would have to be relocated temporarily.
