With the rain easing up, the Public Works Department’s National Highways wing is prepping for stone mastic asphalt resurfacing on the 2-km-long Kundannoor-Thevara bridge, a critical link between Kochi and Willingdon Island. This has raised concerns about potential traffic chaos, as no alternative routes have been established for the numerous vehicles, including container trucks, that rely heavily on the bridge.
The resurfacing project, anticipated to take a month, will smooth out the bridge’s currently bumpy and potholed surface, according to PWD sources. However, the lack of clearance of encroachments and other obstacles on alternative routes remains an issue, say local residents.
Residents, led by the Ernakulam District Residents Associations’ Apex Council (EDRAAC), have long been urging the State government to expand the congested Pandit Karuppan Road as a viable detour. An elevated road parallel to Pandit Karuppan Road was proposed in early 2021, but financial constraints have stalled its implementation.
Mayor M. Anilkumar acknowledged the urgency of resurfacing the Kundannur bridge, warning that it could disrupt commuter and cargo movement. He suggested that a redeveloped Pandit Karuppan Road would have been an ideal alternative route.
Further complicating the situation is the narrow railway level crossing at Vathuruthy, which continues to be a significant bottleneck.
Published on September 18, 2024, at 01:49 am IST.
Original Story https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kundannoor-bridge-resurfacing-concern-over-traffic-falling-into-disarray/article68652269.ece
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