Drive on VSEZ bridge a nightmare for motorists

Driving on the VSEZ bridge is a nightmare for motorists. The gaps left by worn-out rubber expansion joints between the concrete slabs of the bridge deck have become a gutter of sorts, and with their vehicle tyres falling into these gaps with a thud every time they take the bridge, commuters are an irritated lot. Built over the Visakhapatnam–Vijayawada railway mainline, the bridge provides direct connectivity from the Kurmannapalem-side of the city to the Visakhapatnam Special Economic Zone and also to the housing colonies on the other side of the track. One arm was built by the railways to connect the VSEZ bridge from the south side of Duvvada railway station to provide easy access to passengers alighting and boarding trains from the platform. Pending repair A year ago, Road and Buildings engineers inspected 15 expansion joints of the VSEZ bridge and prepared a repair estimate of ₹6 lakh.