Traffic restricted as crack appears on a major bridge linking Dhaka, northern districts

The authorities have closed one of the two lanes of a major bridge on the highway linking Dhaka and the northern districts after they noticed a crack in a girder of the bridge in Sirajganj’s Nolka.

Sirajganj Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 23 March 2018, 07:53 PM
Updated : 23 March 2018, 07:53 PM

Long tailbacks took place from the two ends of the bridge due to the restrictions clamped on Friday afternoon.

The bridge is situated in Nolka of Raiganj Upazila between the Bangabandhu Bridge West Link Highway and Hatikumrul.

Sirajganj Roads and Highways Department Executive Engineer Ahad Ullah told bdnws24.com on Friday night they were allowing vehicles on only one lane of the bridge after they noticed the crack around 5pm.

“We are trying to repair the crack temporarily. A team will start the main repair work on Saturday morning,” he said.

The Nolka Bridge, built in the 80s, was declared vulnerable a long time ago, but the government kept it on the highway that links 24 northern districts with the capital and the southern districts.

Hatikumrul Highway Police Station OC Abdul Quader Jilani said the speed of traffic on the highway slowed down due to the restriction.

He expressed concern over sufferings if the situation remains the same for a long time.