KOLKATA: The busy Park Street Flyover on JL Nehru Road will remain shut this weekend for 56 hours in order to allow a necessary load test of the structure.
The shut down — effective between 10pm on December 3 (Friday) to 6am on December 6 (Monday) — received the necessary go ahead from the Kolkata Police commissioner Soumen Mitra’s office on Tuesday.
The shutdown will mean both northbound and southbound traffic (Esplanade-bound and Exide-bound ) will have to use the JL Nehru Road and cross the Park Street crossing for their movement.
“We might face a little pressure on Saturday morning. Otherwise, we don’t think there will be any major road block in the vicinity as a number of alternate routes are available,” said a senior police officer. He, however, insisted that they have informed HRBC (Hooghly River Bridge Commissioners) to complete work before Monday peak hour traffic.
Joint CP (traffic) Santosh Pandey said that other alternate roads will be kept ready in case of emergency. “In case of any emergency, a part of the Esplanade-bound traffic may be diverted down Red Road from the Park Street crossing. Similarly, if required, the Exide-bound traffic may be diverted down Dufferin Road and Mayo road via RR Avenue,” said an officer.
Senior officials of the agency responsible for the maintenance of the flyover has informed police that personnel and machinery will move in from December 3 morning and the test will begin at night. Police, though, stated that they cannot effect a shutdown till Friday evening traffic is cleared. On December 4 and 5, engineers will conduct a series of tests on the 1.3-km flyover on JL Nehru Road before it is opened on December 6.
Apart from Park Street flyover, Gariahat flyover, AJC Bose Road flyover, Lockgate flyover in Khidderpore and Nagerbazar flyover will undergo similar tests next year. “The steel and concrete structure needs immediate assessment about its wear and tear,” said a senior engineer of the HRBC.
