Damaged median only one among the dangers on bridge across Cooum

“Even though the centre median was damaged several months ago, the Chennai Corporation is yet to renovate the damaged portion of the structure,” A Gopi, a motorist using the bridge regularly, said.

The damaged centre median is on the Cooum bridge in West Namasivaya Puram on the Choolaimedu side. The bridge connects Loyola College Subway in Choolaimedu and Harrington Road Subway in Chetpet. When DT Next visited the spot, the concrete blocks were kept in a haphazard manner and some portion of the concrete blocks were protracting.

Gopi added that every time he crosses the bridge, he has to be extra cautious to avoid mishaps. “I use the road every day and hence know where the concrete blocks lie. However, motorists using the road for the first time are in danger,” he said.

Apart from the damaged centre median, the entire stretch of the bridge is encroached upon by cars and share autos.

“Cab drivers and share auto drivers park their vehicles on both sides of the bridge. Due to this, pedestrians could not use the pavements and are forced to walk on the road,” a resident, on the condition of anonymity, said.

She added that many passers-by use to urinate on the bridge as the illegally parked cars provides them ‘cover’. She also pointed out the traffic signal at the Nelson Manickam Road and Choolaimedu junction and said, “this signal is one of the biggest and two-wheeler riders over speed here. This puts the pedestrian in danger.”

Meanwhile, construction materials stored on the road at the Chetpet side is another danger lurking on the bridge. “A new construction is being done near the bridge where it ends and curves. The building owner has stored construction materials on the road, which is a blind spot. I had many close shaves, especially during the night,” Gopi said.

A Chennai Corporation official said that he would take action to repair the centre median and to prevent illegal parking.