Overpass to close gap as Borim bridge shuts

Ponda: Although the work to strengthen the existing Borim bridge through external pre-stressing by tightening the cables has already been completed, the technical work is pending. The public works department (PWD) has proposed a temporary steel bridge just above the existing concrete bridge, so that traffic is not hindered during the project.
The PWD has also proposed to operate a ferry service between Tishem-Borim and Loutolim during the time of the final repairs of the bridge.
Currently, the bridge records the movement of over 35,000 passenger car units (PCU).
Despite the previous strengthening works, due to the rising vehicular movement on the Borim bridge, the joints have been damaged. After the diversion of heavy vehicles from the Agassaim-Cortalim route to Borim, the movement on the bridge has increased significantly.
Now the contractor is looking to take up the works that were not carried out earlier. These include the lifting of girders, the fixing of new bearings and steel rocker bearings, the installation of the central hinge bearing, and the sealing of cracks and porous concrete. These works need the closure of the bridge. The dredging of the riverbed will cost around Rs 1.2 crore. The temporary steel bridge will cost Rs 1 crore, said an official.
The existing Borim bridge over the Zuari river had been strengthened earlier by spending Rs 9.9 crore. Mumbai-based Fressinet India Limited had completed the project on April 15, 2018.
Fressinet tightened the loosened finger-type-expansion joints that connect the two spans of the bridge in 2019. Yet further works have been found necessary.