Umiam Bridge elevation by mid-February

SHILLONG, Jan 24: The entire structure of Umiam Bridge will be elevated during the ongoing retrofitting process for bearing replacement, expected in the second week of February.
Disclosing this on Wednesday, Power Minister Abu Taher Mondal told reporters he had asked the firm executing the work to check if the bridge can be elevated by February 15.
“The movement of vehicles through the bridge will be totally stopped on the day it is lifted to replace the bearing. The work may take three to eight hours,” Mondal said.
He said the movement of vehicles will be restricted for a few days when the work will be carried out and only ambulances and light vehicles will be allowed to pass through during the curing period. “We will have to wait to release the jerk and bring the bridge to the same position. Till such time, there will be complete restrictions for heavy vehicles and vehicles with big bodies,” the Minister said.
He requested commuters to take an alternate route. He said displays will be put up wherever necessary to inform the general public about the date and hours of the exercise.
“There will be a wide publicity also in the media,” the Minister said.
He said he is personally monitoring the issue of traffic. He added that he had a meeting with the administration of both East Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi districts, including the police, to ensure there is no traffic jam. He requested commuters to follow the traffic rules.
Mondal said the department is targeting to complete the retrofitting work before the end of monsoon.
“Currently, we are making the boreholes to see the exact condition of the concrete and find out the extent of seepage. We are using high quality concrete to seal the pores where there is seepage,” the Minister said.
On the suggestion of VPP legislator Adelbert Nongrum to use the steel bridge road as an alternate route, Mondal said he had personally inspected and discussed the issue with the MLA concerned and also with both PWD Secretary and Chief Engineer.
“We are not sure about the structure and abutment of the steel bridge. But onlookers are saying the bridge is not motorable,” he said.