Cracks develop on bridge of Dhaka-Aricha highway; lane closed

A lane of Dhaka-Aricha highway, on Savar's Salehpur bridge, was closed after cracks developed in its girder yesterday afternoon.

A 1.5 km traffic congestion developed from Turag area to Aminbazar following the closure of the lane, causing immense sufferings to the commuters.

The bridge was declared vulnerable yesterday afternoon, reports our Savar correspondent quoting Sub-divisional Engineer of Roads and Highways Department Maruf Hasan.

Photo: Collected

He said some cracks have developed on the girder of the bridge -- Savar-Dhaka lane (old part) -- which was constructed in the 1970s.

So, the lane was closed at 1:00pm yesterday in consultation with engineers and advisers, he said.  

"We hope, it will be possible to reopen the lane after repair," he said.

But the final decision will be taken after studying the cracks, he added.

An extension of the bridge was built on the highway when it was upgraded to four-lane from two-lane.

Vehicles are crossing through that new part, the engineer said.