Bhola Bridge Feasibility Study

Feasibility Study for Construction of Bhola Bridge on Barisal-Bhola Road over Kalabador and Tentulia River
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1. BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND PROJECT BRIEF

The Bhola island with an area of 3400 sq.km. and population of
over 20 lakhs situated on the eastern side of Barisal division does
not have any vehicular connectivity with main land Barisal. There
is only one Ferry Crossing available on Highway N-809 (Barisal-
Bhola-Lakshmipur Road). Almost all personnel and goods
transportation to and from main land take place by boats and
launches. This has seriously affected the social and economic
development of Bhola. To alleviate this problem, Bangladesh
Bridge Authority (BBA) decided to prepare a concept design for
construction of a four lane bridge over the Tentulia river at a
suitable location to connect Bhola with main land. This feasibility
report presents the outcome of the study that has been carried
out by the Consultants. The assignment has been carried out
following the scope as provided by BBA in the Terms of Reference
(ToR). This included locating a proper alignment of the bridge
along nearly thirty kilometer stretch of braided Tentulia river
based on river characteristics and accessibility at both banks and
thereafter engineering the bridge.
2. STUDY APPROACH AND TECHNICAL STANDARDS

The Consultants have carried out the assignment in accordance with International practice and
procedures. However, reference was made to practices followed in Bangladesh and the established
standards and procedures of Roads and Highways Department (RHD). The principal International and
RHD standards adopted are:
a) AASHTO LRFD 2014 specifications for Highway Bridges. This is currently being followed in
Bangladesh. The bridge loading standard includes HL-93 trailer truck.
b) Geometric Design Standard for Bridges and Approaches and Bridge Design Standard by RHD
c) Material Standards – as per AASHTO LRFD 2014 Highway Bridge Design specification
d) EuroCode 1990-1999 has also been used as reference, wherever found necessary.
3. STUDIES UNDERTAKEN
The Consultants have conducted the following Surveys, Investigation activity:
1) Extensive Reconnaissance Survey by the Consultants team to identify a suitable alignment of
the bridge as well as approach roads. It included field trip, collection and study of available
secondary data, consultation with local officials and general public. Three locations spread over
twenty kilometres were critically examined to arrive at the bridge alignment.
2) Carry out detailed Hydrological and Morphological Investigation by appointing specialized
agency. The agency, Institute of Water Modelling (IWM) carried out field investigation including
discharge, velocity and water level measurement. With the help of historical satellite images,
iii
IWM studied the potential stability of river banks at the proposed alignment. IWM also
established the hydraulic design parameters by Mathematical Modelling.
3) Topographic Survey of the proposed bridge and the approach road alignments were carried out.
4) Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation at the proposed bridge location and approach road
alignment was carried out.
5) Traffic Survey was undertaken to carry out Traffic Forecast Study.
6) Environmental Impact Study. The project falls under RED category.
7) Survey and study undertaken for preparation of Preliminary Land Acquisition and Resettlement
Plan.
4. FINDINGS
4.1. Bridge Location and Approach Road Alignment
Based on reconnaissance survey, hydrological and morphological study, discussions with BBA officials
and public consultations, the bridge alignment was fixed at about a few 100m downstream of Bhedaria
Ferry Ghat on Bhola side and Laaharhat Ferry Ghat on Barisal side on the existing Highway N-809. The
total width of the crossing will be nearly 10km including the land spans. Out of this, about 3 km length
will be in form of a high level road over Sripur Char that separates two channels of the braided river and
the balance portion will be made of two high level bridges providing 18.3m navigational clearance.
Extensive Bank Protection Work has been proposed around the Sripur Char.
4.2. Main Bridge
A number of bridge options from 110m span continuous post tensioned Box Girder options to 1000m
main span Cable stayed Bridge and 1550m span Suspension bridge were examined. Each option has its
advantage and difficulties besides cost. It was recognised that keeping the number of foundations within
the river to minimum will greatly reduce the risks of uncertainty associated with pile installation. On the
other hand, longer span bridges will be difficult to build as well as costlier. Taking all aspects into
consideration, a 200m span Concrete Extradosed Bridge option was selected. The bridge configuration is
as follows:
a) 14 x 38m (Land Spans Barisal side)
b) 120 + 16 x 200 + 120m (Extradosed Bridge on Arial Khan/ Kalabador Crossing)
c) 14 x 38m (Land Spans on western side of Sripur Char)
d) 3km Road on Sripur Char
e) 14 x 38m (Land Spans on eastern side of Sripur Char)
f) 120 + 5 x 200 + 120m (Extradosed Bridge on Ilisha/ Tentulia Crossing)
g) 14 x 38m (Land Spans on Bhola side)
The foundation on the river will consist of 2.5m/ 3m diameter bored RCC piles of approximately 100m
length. The piles will be base grouted. The option of driving steel tubes can also be examined at the
time of execution design after carrying out detailed geotechnical investigation. It is estimated that ten to
twelve piles will be necessary for foundation of extradosed bridge.
The approach bridges on either bank will be almost half a kilometre long as 18.3m navigational
clearance will have to be provided under the main bridge portion. It has been proposed to adopt precast
iv
pre-tensioned U type girders of 38m span to make up that portion of the bridge, which will be
supported on RCC piers and bored cast-in-situ pile foundation.
The Bank Protection Work has been designed by IWM following the standards of BWDB.
4.3. Approach Road and Structures

The approach road has been designed as per RHD standard for four lane Highway. The associated minor
bridges and culverts have been designed to AASHTO LRFD 2014 specification in compliance with RHD
standards for Bridges.
4.4. Traffic Forecast

The projected traffic (Motorised Traffic per Day) forecasted are as follows:
Year Traffic Volume
2024 6,990
2034 15,620
2054 56,701
4.5. Estimated Project Cost

As the types of bridge elements proposed are uncommon to Bangladesh, the project cost has been
estimated based on International prices of similar projects rationally scaled to Bangladeshi condition.
Estimated Project Cost has been worked out as 9922 Cr BDT, which is equivalent to 1181 Million USD
(based on 1 US$ = 84 BDT).
4.6. Economic Analysis and Justification

The economic analysis and evaluation are as under:
EIRR = 22.54%
= 18.45% with 15% higher cost and 15% lower benefit
NPV = 14,371 Cr BDT
4.7. CONCLUSION
From the Techno-Economic analysis, it is observed that the bridge is economically viable. The EIRR value
exceeds 15%. Completion of this project will bring enormous social and economic benefits to the people
living in Bhola in particular and to southern part of the country in general. It is recommended that bridge
project be taken up for execution at an early date.

Bhola Bridge Feasibility Study

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Bhola Bridge Feasibility Study

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Bhola Bridge Feasibility Study

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Feasibility Study for Construction of Bhola Bridge on Barisal-Bhola Road over Kalabador and Tentulia River

1. BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND PROJECT BRIEF

2. STUDY APPROACH AND TECHNICAL STANDARDS

4.3. Approach Road and Structures

4.4. Traffic Forecast

Year Traffic Volume

4.5. Estimated Project Cost

4.6. Economic Analysis and Justification

You might also like