Repair and safety strengthening of 12 bridges on east-west highway underway

Kanchanpur: The Mahakali Bridge Project Office, Mahendranagar, has initiated repair and safety strengthening works on 12 bridges along the far-western section of the East-West Highway.

The repair works are being carried out on bridges located along the road stretch from Chisapani in Kailali to Gaddachauki in Kanchanpur. According to Engineer Ravi Shah of the Bridge Project Office, the bridges over the Chaudhar River, Banagaun River, Bhasi River, Kangla River, Channel Crossing, Patharia River, Syali River, Banhara River, Amkhaiya River, Baluwa River, Gauriganga River and Likma River are included in the project.

Engineer Shah informed that the repair works are being undertaken at a cost of Rs 19.182 crore through a contract process with financial assistance from the World Bank. He said the bridges have been classified based on their condition ratings, and repair activities are being carried out by identifying problems and prioritizing them accordingly.

As part of the maintenance works, technical improvements including suspension joint repairs, installation of W-beam barriers, barrier road passing, catch eye installation, delineator posts and railing repairs are being implemented. The works, which began on November 21, are targeted to be completed within the current fiscal year.

The Project Office has expressed confidence that regular maintenance and safety strengthening will improve vehicular safety on the highway and enhance the durability of the bridge infrastructure.