The old bridge near Mangaluru, built in 1969, was closed permanently for traffic in June 2024. It was first closed in April 2023 for an overhaul but was soon deemed unusable. The Public Works Department (PWD) found that the pier foundations and the piers themselves have weakened badly. This granite masonry bridge with RCC piers is about 200 metres long with nine spans, each 21 metres, and a 7.5-metre-wide carriageway. Since June 2024, traffic has been using a new, wider bridge built as part of the Airport Road four-laning project. PWD engineers told The Hindu the old bridge's restoration is near impossible. They proposed to the government to dismantle the old structure and construct a new one. The estimated cost for this project is about ₹40 crore. This includes dismantling the old bridge and clearing the debris. Public Works Minister Satish Jarkholi and Dakshina Kannada district Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao have promised to fast-track approval of the proposal. Work might begin after the monsoon season. The new bridge will be built at the same location. It will be similar to the new bridge currently in use, about 200 metres long and 12 metres wide.