New Bridge Across Cooum at Thiruverkadu Nears Completion

Faster connectivity to Mount Poonamallee-Avadi Road will soon reach the residents of Thiruverkadu as the Highways Department closes in on the completion of a new bridge across the Cooum River. The six-span, 300-meter-long bridge, begun in 2021, not only will accommodate motorists but will also have walkways and cyclist paths.

This is a bridge to replace the low-level causeway that had frequently flooded during heavy rains. It will change the connectivity in this region. There are projected 500-600 pedestrians and 250 cyclists per day during peak hours.

“This will improve accessibility to important landmarks, such as Devi Karumariamman and Vedapureeswarar temples,” said M. Venkatesh, an owner of a local wedding hall.“These temples will now be within walking distance from Mount Poonamallee-Avadi Road,” he said. “Earlier, people had to travel 4 km to reach them. We just hope the bridge will have proper lighting for safe use at night.”

Despite initial setbacks caused by the COVID-19 lockdown and seasonal monsoons, work on the ₹19.48 crore project has progressed steadily. The budget also includes ₹27 crore spent on land acquisition. Project engineers highlighted the challenges of working around fluctuating river levels, often diverting water to continue construction.

Currently, final touches are being applied, including painting, electrical installations, road markings, and signboard placement. The bridge’s median is also undergoing finishing work.

The new bridge is expected to not only improve travel efficiency but also boost the local economy and provide better connectivity to key cultural and religious sites. Once opened, it will stand as a much-needed upgrade to Thiruverkadu’s infrastructure, ensuring safer and more reliable transit for residents and visitors alike.