The sanctioned project will remove damaged surface layers and lay new bituminous macadam and bituminous concrete on both bridges. The work is intended to restore the road surface along the busy corridor, which carries regular traffic between the city and industrial and transport areas near the airport.
A separate Rs. 1 mn pothole repair project has completed the tendering process, with patchwork scheduled to begin shortly. The interim work will address visible potholes before the broader resurfacing project is executed. Together, the two interventions are designed to provide immediate relief while renewing the damaged road layers.
A report by the bridges division’s chief engineer attributed the deterioration to the configuration of the structures and the traffic they carry. The central span over the railway line is flat, while the connecting spans are inclined. Heavy vehicles frequently brake while descending the inclined sections, generating mechanical stress and vibration that accelerate the breakdown of the asphalt on the bridge deck and central bituminous layer.
The bridge approaches face an additional water-related problem during the monsoon. Water pressure pushes loose soil from beneath the approach road outwards, weakening the road edge and contributing to new potholes. The resulting damage has required frequent maintenance, while the sanctioned resurfacing and patchwork are expected to improve traffic movement along the Seaport-Airport Road. The next steps are the start of the tendered pothole repairs and execution of the approved resurfacing work.