New Bridge Over Penna in Nellore To Open in a Fortnight Bringing Major Relief
Rs 68.67-crore project to ease congestion and improve city connectivity.
Nellore: The long wait for thousands of commuters in Nellore citizens is finally coming to an end with the much-awaited new bridge across the Penna River on National Highway-67 expected to open for traffic within the next two weeks.
Constructed at a cost of Rs 68.67 crore, the bridge has reached 98.6 per cent progress, with only a few minor works and litigation-related issues remaining. The project includes a 741.5-metre major bridge, a 43.5-metre minor bridge, approach roads, service roads, drainage facilities, and pedestrian infrastructure over a total length of 2.68 kilometres.
For decades, Nellore's rapidly growing traffic has funnelled through a single two-lane bridge built in 1953, creating severe bottlenecks during peak hours. The new bridge, constructed parallel to the existing structure, is expected to significantly improve traffic flow and enhance connectivity between the northern and southern parts of the city.
The bridge will serve as a vital gateway for vehicles entering Nellore from the Chennai-Kolkata highway corridor. Motorists travelling from NH-16 can access the city through Padugupadu and the new Penna crossing, reducing travel distance by nearly six kilometres, while also avoiding some of the city's most congested stretches.
Officials said all major structural works have been completed, including the installation of 128 piles, 32 piers, 132 girders and 33 deck slabs. The accompanying minor bridge and approach structures have also been finished.
A court stay involving an IOCL petrol bunk and a pending case affecting a 100-metre service road stretch at Venkateswarapuram remain the only major hurdles.
Once inaugurated, the bridge will become the fourth crossing over the Penna River in Nellore, the others being the 73-year-old historic bridge, the NH-16 bridge, and the Ranganayakulapeta barrage. Beyond easing traffic congestion, it is expected to boost economic activity, improve logistics, and support the city's continuing expansion.
For Nellore residents weary of daily traffic jams on the old bridge, the opening of the new Penna crossing promises a long-awaited transformative change.
