If all goes well, motorists can expect the 2.65-km-long Sirsi Circle flyover to become hassle-free within a month. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) engineers have been striving not to leave any stone unturned to repair the damaged extension joints, without causing much inconvenience to the motorists.
BT Ramesh, BBMP engineer-in-chief, said there are 24 extension joints on the both sides of the Sirsi flyover and 11 of them have been repaired.
“We have assigned the job of repairing to Sanfield India. The BBMP has sanctioned `2.65 crore for this purpose,” Ramesh said.
The extension joints on Sirsi Circle flyover were damaged owing to heavy traffic movement. Wide gaps had developed in the joints and, as a result, whenever it rained, water overflowed from the flyover and splashed on the commuters below the flyover. There were even instances of two-wheelers getting stuck between these open joints.
Former mayor Sharadamma had participated in the commencement ceremony for the joint replacement work in September 2011. The repair work was expected to begin in October and was delayed till March 2012 owing to reasons best known to the authorities concerned.
Sources revealed that though the BBMP had initially favoured the incorporation of finger-type joints, the then project consultant preferred modular joints. Hence, the repair work was delayed as there was a disagreement between the BBMP and the consultant, the sources said.
On March 30, 2012, the BBMP closed the traffic movement on one side of the flyover to replace the old joints with new ones. This was initiated after a report was submitted by STUP Consultants, which recommended the installation of modular joints.
However, the real problem came to light when the engineers of Sanfield India opened the asphalt at the joints. They found that installing modular joints would not be viable.
Subsequently, the BBMP technical advisory committee recommended the installation of finger joints. According to the engineer-in-chief, the finger joints will have a longer shelf life than the flyover itself.
When asked if the flyover will be closed for traffic to repair the damaged extension joints, he said, “The repair works have been carried out in coordination with the traffic police department. Our aim is to minimise the inconvenience to the motorists.’’
Meanwhile, many motorists have complained about the unscientific humps and the remaining damaged extension joints on the flyover.
“I think it is the only flyover in the world to have humps, which pose danger to motorists unfamiliar with the flyover,’’ said Sudharshan, a two-wheeler rider.
The flyover, which was constructed at a cost of `97 crore, was opened for traffic in 1999 to connect Narasimharaja Road and Sirsi Circle on Mysore Road.
Over a period of 10 years, the finger-type extension joints began to give way. Instead of replacing them, the BBMP engineers covered them with steel plates and poured asphalt over it, thus facilitating the flyover to have the distinction of having road humps.
@YMRCONNECT
