Kochi: The first phase of repair works on Palarivattom flyover is set to miss June 1 deadline with the expert IIT team directing the Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala (RBDCK) to carry out additional repair works.
"The black topping on the flyover surface, except that of the approach road towards Vytilla side is over. We've started replacing span joints set up using 'Deck Continuity' method with expansion joints. Initially, there was a target to construct 12 expansion joints after removing the old ones. Now, the IIT Madras team directed us to construct an additional three," said a senior RBDCK official.
According to sources, though the work on expansion joints started on Friday, it would take at least a week to finish the same. Then concreting has to be done on both sides of each of the 15 expansion joints.
"The setting of the concrete and other finishing works is likely to take up another week. The bridge can be opened for traffic by June second week," they said.
An expansion joint is the gap between two spans of a bridge provided for movement of the structure due to temperature variations. Earlier, the spans were connected using 'Deck Continuity' method. In the latter, the vehicles can ride smoothly while the former does not provide that comfort.
A detailed inspection by an IIT Madras team last month had found major construction discrepancies that resulted in formation of cracks in girders and piers of the flyover.
The repair works are being carried out in two phases. The flyover will be thrown open for traffic once the works on the bridge surface is over.
The second phase repair works will be taken up after the monsoon, by September end. Then the cracks on girders and piers will be rectified using the Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) method, also known as Carbon Fibre Wrappings. The modern technology will ensure there won't be any additional weight on the bridge so that it does not affect the foundation.
Earlier, the expert team found serious flaws on the bridge Design plan, approved by Kitco, and also the construction quality, especially in terms of materials used. A Vigilance probe is on and the sleuths are expected to submit a report in a couple of days.
