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

  • Canadian PM Trudeau warned of costs rises for Gordie Howe Bridge
    January 11, 2016
    A devaluing Canadian dollar has pushed up the cost for building a signature Windsor-Detroit bridge by around US$2.5 billion, according to Canadian media reports. The increase more than doubles what was believed needed by the Canadian government to construct the Gordie Howe Bridge, named after a Canadian ice hockey player who played most of his career for the Detroit Red Wings. The toll bridge, to be built under a public private partnership, will link the US city of Detroit, in the state of Michigan, w
  • Ghana’s new modular steel bridges
    March 5, 2019
    Ghana’s Ministry of Transport is joining forces with Ghana’s Armed Forces to build up to 5,000 small bridges across the country. Modular steel bridges will be erected over small rivers in rural locations, in a bid to improve access to outlying areas that presently suffer from poor transport connections. Repairs will be carried out to 150 steel bridges currently in poor conditions, while modular steel bridge components are being bought from a supplier in the Czech Republic. The US firm Acrow Bridge has alr
  • Ghana’s new modular steel bridges
    March 5, 2019
    Ghana’s Ministry of Transport is joining forces with Ghana’s Armed Forces to build up to 5,000 small bridges across the country. Modular steel bridges will be erected over small rivers in rural locations, in a bid to improve access to outlying areas that presently suffer from poor transport connections. Repairs will be carried out to 150 steel bridges currently in poor conditions, while modular steel bridge components are being bought from a supplier in the Czech Republic. The US firm Acrow Bridge has alr
  • Indonesian bridge disaster
    May 15, 2012
    A bridge collapse at the weekend on Borneo Island in Indonesia’s East Kalimantan has injured 39 people and killed 11, while at least 30 are missing and presumed drowned. The entire deck of the 720m long suspension bridge collapsed, plunging a bus as well as trucks, cars and motorcycles into the Mahakam River. The bridge was completed in 2002 but suffered serious damage to one of its supports last year when it was struck by a coal carrying barge and has been hit on several previous occasions by vessels plyin