Sun Nov 17 10:13:45 UTC 2024: ## New Bridge Opens, Easing Congestion on Mangaluru-Bengaluru Highway
**Mangaluru, November 17, 2024** – A new two-lane bridge across the Netravathi River in B.C. Road has officially opened, significantly improving traffic flow on National Highway 75 between Mangaluru and Bengaluru. The bridge, part of an ongoing four-lane widening project, was informally opened on Saturday, November 16th, after its completion by M/s KNR Constructions.
The 386-meter-long bridge, which is 13.5 meters wide and 16 meters high, replaces a century-old, single-lane bridge that frequently caused significant traffic bottlenecks. The new bridge carries traffic from Mangaluru towards Bengaluru, while the older bridge now handles traffic in the opposite direction. A temporary divider has been installed to direct vehicles to the appropriate bridge.
The project, which began in 2018, involved overcoming challenges posed by the old “Paner Sanka” bridge, which could only accommodate one heavy vehicle at a time. The new bridge’s completion is a significant achievement, with M/s KNR Constructions finishing the project within three years.
While the new bridge and a nearly completed vehicular overpass (VoP) at Panemangaluru junction are easing congestion, further improvements are still needed. Work continues on the highway widening between Melkar and Kalladka, meaning that traffic congestion between B.C. Road and Mani junction is expected to persist until that work is completed. Another VoP at Melkar junction is expected to open by the end of November.
First Piper 