Kollam: The repair works on Enathu Bridge which developed cracks due to the sinking of one of its piers began on Wednesday. The authorities have restricted traffic of heavy vehicles over it until works completed by Friday.
The bridge in Adoor connects the districts Kollam and Pathanamthitta along the MC Road. Cracks appeared soon after a heavily loaded vehicle passed through the bridge Tuesday night. Soon immediate steps were taken to ensure the safety of motorists.
Works minister G. Sudhakaran and collectors of both the districts analysed the situation after which traffic regulation came into force.
The PWD engineers found the sinking pier was due to the damage to the elastomeric bearing, a material made using both rubber and steel, between the concrete and the pier.
The bearing acts as a shock absorber between the two.
“The works to change the elastomeric bearing under the slab of the bridge, on top of the pier, have started. They will raise the slab using instruments including a jack. It will be loaded on Friday after proper planning ahead of replacing the bearing,” G.S. Geetha, executive engineer, KSTP division, told DC. Bridge experts from Kochi are assisting PWD engineers.
Meanwhile, they have diverted traffic along the MC Road to the Adoor – Puthoor – Kottarakkara route.
