Cauvery Bridge Repairs Cross Halfway Point, NHAI Targets October Completion

More than half of the repair and maintenance work on the old Cauvery bridge along the Chennai-Tiruchi-Madurai National Highway has been completed, with authorities stepping up efforts to finish the project before the upcoming festival season. The bridge, located on the Chennai Bypass, was closed to traffic on June 25 to allow extensive repair work. Traffic has since been diverted through the other carriageway between Sanjeevi Nagar Junction and Kondayampettai.

Built in 1963, the bridge is undergoing repairs estimated to cost around ₹10 crore. The project is being carried out by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) concessionaire responsible for maintaining the highway section. The work includes replacing 120 bridge bearings, maintaining 14 support pillars, repairing 16 strip-seal expansion joints and undertaking structural strengthening measures. The bridge was last subjected to major repairs in 2010.

With the highway carrying a large volume of traffic, authorities have accelerated the repair schedule to minimise disruption during the upcoming festival period. Work is currently being carried out around the clock in two shifts. Officials expect the overall project to be completed by the middle of October, ahead of the period when traffic on the Chennai-Tiruchi-Madurai route is expected to increase significantly.

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So far, 60 of the 120 bridge bearings have been replaced, accounting for half of the planned bearing replacement work. The remaining bearings are expected to be replaced within the next 15 days. At the same time, workers are undertaking strengthening work on the bridge's support pillars and repairs to the pedestrian pathway. The replacement of the strip-seal expansion joints is expected to be completed by September.

The current conditions in the Cauvery river have also provided an opportunity to carry out the work without major disruption. The delayed start of the irrigation season has resulted in little or no water flow in the river, creating a suitable window for repair activities. However, officials have reportedly made arrangements to ensure that construction work can continue even if water is released from the Mettur dam for irrigation purposes.

The repairs are considered important for maintaining the structural condition and safety of the decades-old bridge, which remains part of a major highway corridor connecting Chennai with central and southern Tamil Nadu. With more than 50% of the work already completed and multiple activities progressing simultaneously, authorities are aiming to meet the mid-October deadline while managing traffic diversions and preparing for increased vehicle movement during the festival season.

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