Karnataka’s longest cable-stayed bridge to open for traffic by May-end

Shivamogga: The state’s longest cable-stayed bridge across the backwaters of River Sharavathi, connecting Ambaragodlu and Tumari in Sagar taluk of the district, is all set for inauguration in the next couple of months.

Sources said the asphalting of the road on the 2.44-km-long bridge was underway and the remaining works, including painting, had to be completed by May.

It is likely to be inaugurated in the last week of May or in the first week of June. The total cost of the project is Rs 423 crore.

Shivamogga Lok Sabha member B Y Raghavendra is likely to visit Delhi shortly and get the dates of Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari for the inauguration. The minister had laid the foundation stone for the bridge on February 19, 2018. 

Once the bridge opens, the facility of launches (large ferries), which has been a mode of transportation for people of the region for long, is likely to end.

Residents of Tumari region and pilgrims to Sigandur Chowdeshwari temple need not use launches to reach their destinations. 

People had to travel about 80 km by road to reach Sagar town from Sigandur or Tumari. The bridge would reduce the distance by half. 

Also, the distance between Kollur in Udupi district and Sagar would reduce drastically.

Peer Pasha, in-charge officer of the bridge, told DH that cable stressing had to be done to ensure that the structure withstood 80-tonne vehicles.

Trial run would not be conducted as construction vehicles were already plying on the bridge.

He said it had been constructed using 17 piers and two abutments. A regular bridge would have needed around 100 piers. Cable-stayed bridges offered greater stiffness than suspension bridges, he said. 

The vertical loads on the deck were supported by diagonal cables that transferred the loads from the deck to the towers.

Cruise tour

Speaking DH, Shivamogga MP B Y Raghavendra said the long-pending dream of people of Sharavathi project evacuees is all set to become a reality. “I must be thankful to Union Minister Gadkari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for releasing funds for the execution of the project.”

He also made it clear that the efforts are on implement cruise tourism in the backwaters of Sharavathi. I have started doing some home work in this regard. Iam confident that the Centre would take suitable steps in implementing cruise tourism project.”