Load testing on the completed stretch of six-lane bridge over Ganga is underway Prayagraj: The much-awaited six-lane bridge over Ganga connecting Stanley Road with Malak Harhar has entered its final testing phase, with load testing of the completed stretches underway. The initial results of the test, which began three days ago, have been satisfactory, paving the way for opening the bridge to traffic in phases.During the ongoing exercise, heavy vehicles were stationed on the completed portions of the bridge, including the stretches over Beli Nala and near Malaka, to assess the structure’s deflection and load-bearing capacity. Around 25 to 30 heavy vehicles are being positioned at a time as part of the test.The load-testing exercise is expected to continue for 10 to 15 days and is likely to be completed by Nov 10, alongside the installation of cross barriers at several points.Project manager Mohamad Nusratullah of Ministry of Road Transport said the construction work has been completed, while testing of the road surface and lighting was completed on Sept 8.If the schedule holds, one lane towards Lucknow is expected to be opened for traffic on Nov 15, followed by the second lane on Dec 15.The 9.8-km bridge, being constructed by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, is among Prayagraj’s major infrastructure projects and is expected to provide an alternative route for traffic towards Lucknow, Pratapgarh, Sultanpur and Ayodhya.The project, estimated to cost around Rs 1,948 crore, is also significant for being Uttar Pradesh’s first six-lane extradosed bridge. The overall corridor includes about 3.84 km of the main bridge over Ganga, with the remaining length comprising approach stretches.The bridge is also equipped with modern traffic-management infrastructure, including CCTV surveillance, an automatic traffic management system and a command centre. A multi-lane free-flow tolling system has been approved for the Malak Harhar end, allowing vehicles to pass through without stopping at conventional toll barriers.The project is expected to ease pressure on existing Ganga crossings and improve connectivity between the city and the eastern and northern parts of Uttar Pradesh. An elevated road has also been proposed from Kalash Crossing towards the UPPSC crossing to provide a smoother link between the bridge and the city road network.