Kathmandu, August 30
The road connecting Kathmandu and Dhadingbesi through Furke Khola is unlikely to reopen immediately after the bridge over the river was swept away by floods, the Department of Roads said.
The department is exploring alternative routes to Dhadingbesi after the flood destroyed the bridge over Furke Khola, a key crossing on the route to Dhading district headquarters.
Department of Roads Director General Dr Bijay Jaisi said it would be difficult to install a Bailey bridge at the site immediately.
Inspecting the damaged bridge, Jaisi said officials were assessing whether a Bailey bridge could be installed to resume traffic. However, the length of the bridge and the condition of its piers pose significant challenges.
The department is studying the possibility of using a Bailey bridge as a temporary measure. However, Jaisi said one of the bridge’s piers had been swept away, and the available Bailey bridges may not be long enough to span the river.
The department is also examining other options to restore the crossing. Jaisi said a technical team would be deployed to carry out detailed measurements of the damaged structure.
“We are also sending a technical team to take exact measurements. If possible, our plan was to install a Bailey bridge and resume traffic immediately. But after the site inspection, it appears that a long-span Bailey bridge is not currently available here,” he said.
“Even if we connect short-span Bailey bridges to the piers on both sides, the required length appears to be greater than the Bailey bridges available to us. Therefore, it does not appear possible to install a Bailey bridge immediately,” he added.
According to Jaisi, the department is considering constructing a new deck using the existing structures or building a new bridge connected to the existing one.
Two options are currently under discussion.
Under the first option, the existing structures could be retained and a new deck constructed over them, potentially as a permanent structure.
The second option involves constructing a new bridge connected to the existing structure.
If neither option is feasible, an entirely new bridge may have to be constructed, Jaisi said. The department will begin the necessary process for a permanent bridge after completing the technical assessment.
“We will be able to say clearly how many days it will take and how traffic can be resumed after the technical assessment. This bridge has to be rebuilt. We will conduct the necessary technical study and make a decision soon to move ahead with the construction process,” he said.
Meanwhile, traffic has been diverted through an alternative route following the destruction of the bridge.
Jaisi said the bridge towards Mastar remains safe, allowing the road between Furke Khola and Mastar to be used as an alternative route.
