Skip to main content

The Nepalese authorities are now addressing structural problems on a series of important bridge links in the country

Major structural problems have been identified in several bridges in Nepal.
March 1, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
Major structural problems have been identified in several bridges in Nepal. Construction work on seven large bridges in Nepal has been halted due to the problems arising in the pier construction.

Work has been stopped on bridges located at Ghurmi and carrying the Udayapur-Okhaldhunga road over the Sunkoshi River and at Khurkot carrying the Sindhuli-Manthali road over the Sunkoshi River. Work has also halted on a bridge in West Nepal carrying the Chnichu-Jajarkot road over the Bheri River, on the Tawa River bridge, the Siwai bridge, the Tadi bridge at Nuwakot and on the bridge over the Junga River at Dhanusa.

A bridge expert in Nepal says that due to geological conditions in Nepal, pier construction faces problems. The expert suggests that bridges with piers should be avoided in the country and that arched structures, though more expensive to build, are more suitable for the country's rugged terrain and would offer long term cost benefits through reduced maintenance needs.

Pier problems at the Bheri Bridge have resulted in it being replaced by a suspension bridge and this has been suggested as another suitable bridge design solution for the country. The issue is endemic, with the country's geology and geography playing a key role. Bridge scour is a serious problem in Nepal, due to the country's mountainous terrain, deep rock valleys and fast flowing rivers. 2664 Nepal's Department of Roads has issue a notice that a further seven bridges are in a serious condition and require repairs.

Bridges requiring repair are at Mugling carrying the Prithvi Highway, the Marsyangdi Bridge carrying the Aanbukhaireni-Gorkha road, the Seti bridge carrying the Khaireni-Bhimad road, the Jharahi bridge carrying the Mahendra highway and the Kaligandaki bridge carrying the Siddhartha highway. The other structures are the Bheri bridge carrying the Ratna highway, the Tamakoshi bridge carrying the Lamosanghu road, the Sunkoshi bridge carrying the Lamosanghu - Jiri road and the Tadi bridge carrying the Pasanglamhu road.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Airport preparation through compaction
    April 12, 2018
    Two major airport projects around the world are being constructed on poor ground and have required extensive compaction - Mike Woof writes With air travel continuing to increase around the world, airport capacity is being upgraded in many major cities. Two of the world’s largest mega cities, Beijing and Istanbul, are constructing new airports to cope with growing demand. This is because the existing facilities are simply unable to cope with projected growth for aviation and some of the airports are alrea
  • Volvo CE ‘routes’ for Chicago highway project
    May 22, 2014
    More than 2.5 million m³ of material is being moved with a fleet of Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) articulated haulers in the US state of Illinois. Home to the world’s first skyscraper, the Chicago Bears – and the Blues Brothers – Illinois is the fifth most populous American state and a major transport hub. Industrial cities and agricultural productivity is growing in central and northern Illinois – while natural resources like coal, timber and oil and gas in the south help provide the state with
  • Making the U-turn
    August 2, 2012
    Political hostility to a toll road project in Australia has been turned around by the quality and amenity of the project writes Adrian Greeman Cars, trucks and vans were taking to the new EastLink toll road in Melbourne with enthusiasm this July, pleased to try out its 39km route for time and cost savings. As well as the convenience of the uncongested route, drivers were also able to view an extraordinary multi-shaded perspective of transparent green and orange noise wall panels, burnt earth-coloured retai
  • Copy of New Midtown Tunnel open in Virginia
    January 30, 2017
    A project to construct the second Midtown Tunnel link in the US state of Virginia alongside the original connection has taken an important step forward – Mike Woof writes Commuters in the US state of Virginia will be pleased that the new Midtown Tunnel is now open to traffic, as it will help to boost capacity and cut congestion on the busy US 58 route connecting Norfolk and Portsmouth. The 1.13km tunnel link has been built to link with the interchange at Brambleton Avenue and Hampton Boulevard in Norfolk