The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako Atta, who ordered the bridges’ temporary closure for almost one month,  opened the route to motorists on Friday December 22, 2017 after a thorough inspection. 

Without stating a definite measurement, the Minister said only lightweight vehicles will be allowed to cross the bridges.

“Only vehicles not exceeding the allowable load limit will be allowed to use the bridges. Vehicles approaching the bridges will be weighed at the Jema weighing station near Kintampo and the Yapei mobile weighing centre before they are allowed on the bridges,” he directed.

According to Mr. Amoako Atta, government took a bold decision to save lives by closing the bridges for repairs, as they were near collapse.

“The bridges as compared to what you are seeing today were so weak, swinging and there was so much vibration even with a motorbike on it,” he said.

He reassured the road users of government’s commitment to ensuring their safety saying, “the ministry through the Ghana Highways Authority wants to assure the general public that traffic will be managed to ensure safety of the general public.”

“Motorists travelling to and from the northern sector of Ghana are therefore advised to adhere to directional and safety signs that will be placed at appropriate sections.”

He gave a firm order that under no circumstance should an overloaded vehicle be allowed to cross the bridges.

“We had to carry out major rehabilitation works in order to prevent lives and property. We are going to regulate the axle loads on these bridges and we will monitor the activities of the axle load centres managers.”

“I want to warn them that anybody who goes contrary to the instructions that have been issued out the person will bear the consequences thereof.”

The Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed described the rehabilitation works as a timely intervention.

“We thank the road users, our businessmen and women especially our farmers for their patience and cooperation.”

Salifu Saeed anticipated that the Savannah Cement (SAVACEM) company limited, manufacturers of diamond cement will resume production.

The Roads and Highways Minister earlier estimated that the temporary rehabilitation of the two major bridges would cost Ghc4 million.

He promised that rehabilitation of the two bridges would last for four weeks for which reason users should use alternative roads including the Eastern Corridor and the Wa to Techiman routes to the southern part of the country.

He implied that the temporary rehabilitation was only to allow road users use the bridges within the Christmas festivities, after which the construction of new bridges will start.

The Minister added that, construction of the Daboya bridge along that of Buipe and Yapei, will begin in 2018 and disclosed that each of the three new bridges will cost 25 million US dollars.

He commended the Vice President, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for being instrumental in attempts to put in good shape the deplorable road network in the three regions of the north.

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/ Ghana

The post Yapei, Buipe bridges reopened to motorists appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The bridges have been in dilapidated conditions for some time now, thus posing as a threat to motorists and pedestrians.

“The Ghana Highway Authority wishes to inform the general public that due to the poor condition of the Buipe and Yapei bridges ,they will be closed to vehicular usage from Monday 2oth November, 2017,” a statement for GHA stated.

The Highways Authority in September 2017 set load limits for vehicles using the said bridges on the Kintampo-Tamale trunk road to save the bridges from further deterioration.

Only vehicles weighing 20 tons were allowed to cross the bridge.

The statement however gave the following alternative routes to be used by drivers, while the bridges remain closed:

WESTERN CORRIDOR: Accra – Kumasi – Techiman – Wenchi – Bamboi – Bole – Wa

EASTERN CORRIDOR: Accra – Tema – Hohoe – Jasikan – Nkwanta – Oti Damanko – Bimbila – Yendi

CENTRAL CORRIDOR: Accra – Kumasi – Mampong – Ejura – Atebubu – Yeji (Ferry Crossing) – Salaga

OR

Kintampo – Techiman – Nkoranza – Ejura – Atebubu – Yeji (Ferry Crossing) – Salaga

WESTERN/CENTRAL CORRIDOR: Tarkoradi – Tarkwa – Bogosu – Ayamfuri – Dunkwa – Obuasi – Kumasi – Techiman – Wenchi – Bamboi – Bole – Wa

The Highways Authority further pleaded with the public to bear with them “as we take measures to repair the bridges and prevent any catastrophe.”

Bridge constructed over 50 years ago

Reports indicate that, the Yapei bridge was constructed some 53 years ago, and has received only minor maintenance works.

$75m for reconstruction

The Roads and Highways Minister, Akwasi Amoako Atta, had in September 2017 stated that government was seeking about $75 million for the reconstruction of the bridges.

He said Cabinet had already discussed the need to build completely two new bridges at Buipe and Yapei, and at the same time build another one at Daboya to serve as alternative for the travelling public.

Each of the three bridges he said was estimated to cost not less than 25 million dollars.

“Our Technical team has already conducted feasibility studies on the three bridges, and also done with cost analysis, and I tell you we are going to build those bridges,” he said.

The Finance Minister, while presenting the 2018 budget statement in Parliament last week, also disclosed that government has earmarked some bridges to be reconstructed.

They include “Daboya Bridge, Nawumi Bridge, Yapei Bridge, Buipe Bridge, Lawra- Dikpe bridge, Prima-Misio Bridge” as well as 99 steel bridges.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post Dilapidated Buipe, Yapei bridges to be closed on Monday appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.