No more traffic jam worries; New Netravathi bridge opened for traffic today

No more traffic jam worries; New Netravathi bridge opened for traffic today

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Mar 20, 2014: There is some good news to those who frequently travel on the Netravathi bridge on the National Highway 66 and are fed up with the traffic blockades on the stretch of the road.

The new parallel  Netravathi Bridge constructed by  the Navayuga Udupi Tollway Pvt Ltd  for the National Highway Authority of India opened for traffic today, March 20, 2014.


The new three-lane bridge which is 800 meter long and 12 meter wide will be open  one-way for vehicles  heading from Pumpwell to Thokkottu.  The old bridge will be meant for traffic from the opposite direction.

The old bridge is likely to be closed for  traffic a few days after the new bridge is opened,  for maintenance works prior to the rainy season.

NHAI sources said the parallel bridge would help in the movement of 35000 passenger car units or vehicles per day. The   old bridge  facilitated 12,500 passenger car units, resulting in frequent traffic blockades due to higher density of vehicles.

The new  bridge has 23 pillars  and has pre-cast concrete girders. Seismic locking is done for the 96 long beams to ensure  safety even in case of tsunami, earthquakes or other natural calamities.

The bridge has been constructed  as part of the NH widening project between Nanthur and Talapady and Suratkal and Kundapur under Phase III of National Highways Development Project.