Kavarapettai bridge on NH 5 nearing completion

Work on the Kavarapettai bridge on the Chennai-Tada National Highway (old NH 5/new NH 16 connecting Chennai and Kolkata) is expected to be completed soon.

Work on the Kavarapettai bridge on the Chennai-Tada National Highway (old NH 5/new NH 16 connecting Chennai and Kolkata) is expected to be completed soon.

The final bituminous layer is currently being laid on the 2-km-long bridge, which connects four structures: one vehicular underpass, two limited-use vehicular underpasses, and one grade separator. Vehicles will drive inside the retaining walls, with openings provided at each of the structures. The 800-metre-long approach ramp was the last remaining structure to be constructed, and work resumed after a slight revision of rates.

According to sources in the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), this is the last work to be carried out on the main carriageway of the 33-km-long road, as part of the six-lane widening. 

The ₹295-crore project to build these structures was completed by a second contractor since the first one gave notice and the contract was terminated. Land acquisition and shifting of utilities were the major delays in the implementation of the project. 

Meanwhile, approaches to a U-turn bridge at Cholavaram on the same road will be ready by September. The obligatory structure across the road has been completed. 

S. Kumar, who takes the road frequently, said it should be widened further to eight lanes due to increasing traffic. A lot of time is spent at the toll plaza at Nallur, he said, adding that the proposed elevated corridor from Puzhal to Nallur must be taken up to reduce congestion on the stretch.