All overpasses on Ramanattukara-Vengalam in NH-66 are open to traffic

On March 29, three lanes of the Pooladikkunnu flyover on NH 66 were opened. Image source: K. Ragesh

With the opening of the Pooladikunnu overpass, National Highway 66 between Ramanattukara and Vengalam Reach has become smoother. The Pooladikunnu overpass was the last one to be opened as the Vengalam overpass was opened to traffic a week ago. One side of the overpass has been opened for traffic, while the other side where the finishing works are underway is expected to open within a few days.

The Pooladikunnu overpass is 530 meters long and 13.75 meters wide and has 18 spans. In addition to Pooladikunnu and Vengalam, there are seven overpasses along Ramanattukara, Azhinjilam, Pantheerankavu, Palazhi and Thondayad. A week ago, the Vengalam overpass, located at one end of the coverage, opened. It has a length of 530 meters and a width of 14.50 meters, with 17 spans and 85 concrete beams. Due to technical issues related to the installation of street lights, the construction was postponed for more than a month.

While working on the overpass, most overpasses, underground passages and bridges are already over, but the work along the extension is about to be completed. The overpass in Malapparamba, which intersects NH 66 and NH 766, was completed in record time and is open to traffic. However, the ditch below the overpass to allow NH 66 to be in progress.

The newly built bridge across Mampuzha (right) on NH 66 has been opened, while the old bridge (left) continues for normal traffic. |Picture source: K. Ragesh

The bridges on Mampuzha and Korapuzha in Purakkattiri have been opened, while work has been carried out on another bridge across Korapuzha and another bridge in Chaliyar in Arappuzha, which is expected to be completed by the end of May. There are 16 light vehicle underground accesses within reach, most of which have been opened for traffic.

The expansion of the 28.4 km NH 66 extension from Ramanattukara to Vengalam began in 2001 and is scheduled to be completed by December 2025. However, the work carried out by KMC Construction Company is expected to be completed ahead of schedule.