AC Road reconstruction enters final phase

Alappuzha-Changanassery Road reconstruction nears completion with major works finished, expected to open in a few months.

The reconstruction of the Alappuzha-Changanassery (AC) Road has entered its final phase. According to the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP), almost all major works, except for the Pallathuruthy bridge, have been completed.

As per the original plan, the project, aimed at preventing flooding of the road during the monsoon season, was scheduled for completion in 2023. However, the government extended the deadline. The project was delayed primarily due to the time taken by the government to approve the revised estimate for the construction of a parallel bridge at Pallathuruthy.

The 24.14-km road is being rebuilt at a cost of ₹671.66 crore under the Rebuild Kerala Initiative. “The work is progressing rapidly with the goal of fully opening the road within three to four months. When the project is completed, the final cost is expected to touch ₹880.72 crore,” said a KSTP official.

The project includes the construction of four major bridges, five semi-elevated flyovers, 14 minor bridges, three causeways, and 64 culverts among other works. Officials said that apart from finishing touches, all other work on the Kidangara, Nedumudi and Muttar bridges had been completed. In the case of the Pallathuruthy bridge, about 60% of the work had been completed.

Five flyovers at Pandarakalam, Nazareth Junction, Jyothi Junction, Mankombu and Onnamkara have been opened to traffic. Likewise, all the small bridges, causeways and culverts have been opened. The road surfacing is also nearing completion, with 98% of the work using dense bituminous macadam and 90% of the bituminous concrete work finished. Besides, 99% of the land levelling work over 7 km has been completed.

The two-lane road with footpaths has a width of 13 metres. The AC Road work is being carried out by a joint venture of the Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society and Evrascon.