Mangaluru: The PWD has forwarded a proposal to the state cabinet for the demolition of the existing and reconstruction of the Maravoor bridge at km 0.16 on the Mangaluru–Athrady State Highway (SH-67) in Mulki taluk.Officials said that the proposal was sent last month and once the cabinet grants approval, the contract for the project will be awarded, with demolition of the existing bridge included in the scope of work.The Maravoor bridge, constructed in 1969, was permanently closed to traffic in June 2024 after being declared unsafe during heavy rains. In 2021, the bridge experienced partial sinking of its foundation. The department lifted the sunken foundation and girder, reopening traffic in July 2021. However, after a new bridge was opened parallel to it as part of the four-laning of the Mangaluru airport road, the old bridge was closed for a comprehensive overhaul.Officials said technical inspection by the planning and road asset management centre (PRAMC) flagged the structure as being in a dilapidated state and beyond repairs. The SH-67 serves as a key connectivity route to Mangaluru International Airport connecting the city to the airport in Kenjar.The reconstruction project has been proposed under the Karnataka Road Development Corporation’s outlay at an estimated allocation of Rs 40 crore. Administrative approval for the funding has already been granted. As per the proposal, the new bridge will be designed to IRC class AA loading standards (both tracked and wheeled) and aligned with the height of a parallel bridge constructed in 2022. The planned structure will retain a similar length of 181m but will be expanded to a width of 12 metres. It will feature a 9.5m-wide carriageway, a 1.5m footpath on one side, and 0.5m-wide crash barriers on both sides.
