Elevated roads for the city

Elevated roads for the city
The BBMP has proposed to have three elevated roads for faster travel. Sai Prasanna reports


The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has plans for elevated roads to augment connectivity from the central areas of the city to key destinations in the north, east and south. As of now, proposals for three elevated roads have been put forward. These roads will come up from Shoolay Circle to Madivala Police Station near Central Silk Board junction (5.9 km), Kodihalli on Airport Road to Kundalahalli (7.2 km), and from Minsk Square to Hebbal flyover (7.9 km).
Sources at the BBMP said, "Right now, the detailed project reports (DPRs) are ready and are under technical scrutiny. After this, the financial bids for the projects will be opened." The roads will be constructed on the build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis. They will have two lanes with four carriageways and will be bi-directional. The cost estimated per km will come to approximately Rs 60-70 crore.
Toll collection
Also, there will be toll plazas on the elevated roads for toll collection. There will be one toll plaza in each direction. The toll plazas will have a broad width as it will not be feasible to have three to four plazas. The exact locations of the plazas as well as the up ramp and down ramp have already been decided by the technical advisory committee of the BBMP.
Construction
technology
The roads will be constructed using piers and precast elements. First, the pier structure will be constructed and then over that, the precast elements will be placed at certain locations using a launching girder. There will be 12-16 pre-cast elements placed between two piers. Once the piers are in place, a launching girder will be placed on top to give support and help put up the pre-cast elements. When the pre-cast elements are firmly in place, the launching girder will be moved to the next set of piers. Thus, all the three roads will be constructed with the help of three launching girders.
Commencement of
project
Once the technical scrutiny which is in process now is over and the financial bids are also done with, the tendering process will begin. It is expected to happen in about three months' time. The bids will be finalised in another three months after the tenders are invited. Also, some property has to be acquired for the roads to come up in the areas. So, construction should begin in six months' time. The official adds, "All the three elevated roads should be operational in 18 months if the construction starts in six months."
Total length of three elevated roads: 21 km Estimated cost per km: Rs 60-70 crore Contract based on: Swiss challenge method Commencement of construction: In six months Toll collection with toll plazas on the roads Two bi-directional lanes, four carriageways

Elevated road in Manila, Phillipines


Swiss Challenge Method The contracts for the planned elevated roads will be along the Swiss challenge method. This is how it works
This method was introduced to bring in greater transparency in the bidding process for any project. Under this system, the person who proposes the idea for the project can be challenged by the other bidders saying that they can implement the project in a more cost-effective way and with better changes. The initiator will then be asked if he can implement the project with the incorporated changes. If the initiator agrees to do so, then the project will go to him. But if he cannot take up the project, then it will go to the bidder who can implement the project with the changes. He will then, have to pay a certain amount to the initiator of the project which will be a percentage of the cost of the project.