The Ministry has also stationed a mobile axle load vehicle between the two bridges to assist in the enforcement of the axle load requirements.

The sector Minister, Kwasi Amoako-Attah, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic in an interview, explained that the decision was to ensure a longer life span for the rehabilitated bridges until new ones were constructed to replace them.

Closure of two bridges

Last September, the Ghana Highways Authority (GHA) set load limits for vehicles using the two bridges to save them from further deterioration. Consequently, only vehicles weighing 20 tonnes or less are allowed to cross the bridges.

But, on November 20, 2017, the GHA, acting on the instructions of the sector minister, closed down the two bridges for major maintenance works on them.

The four-week repair/maintenance works, which cost the ministry more than GH¢4 million, has brought the bridges back to life.

Apologies

Mr Amoako-Attah said the objective was to ensure that “we do not embark on any complete closure again until new bridges have been built and also not to subject our people to such inconvenience again”.

He said as part of the measures put in place to ensure the longevity of the two bridges, the ministry would keep “an eagle eye” on both bridges and ensure routine maintenance on them.

The idea, he explained, was to ensure that the two bridges did not degenerate to a state that would warrant a complete closure again.

 Justification

Justifying the four-week total closure of the two bridges, Mr Amoako-Attah explained that the decision bordered on national security and was to avoid a “national catastrophe”, as the two bridges had long gone past their life spans.

“In November when we visited the bridges, we realised that almost all the 19 joints of each bridge were separated from the concrete slabs, with some of the slabs cracked.

“The whole superstructure of each bridge was vibrating and swinging with the slightest weight passing on them. I was amazed to see them at that state,” he said.

Commendation

He commended the chiefs and the people of the two communities and the motoring public for exercising patience and endurance during the four weeks that the bridges were closed, adding that it was a necessary evil and a move to save lives.

Mr Amoako-Attah also expressed gratitude to the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Salifu Sa-ed, for the instrumental role they played during the repair works.

–

Source: Graphic.com.gh

The post Roads Ministry opens axle load centres in Buipe, Yapei appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

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.

–

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 company’s management suspended operations from the south to Tamale, following the temporary closure of the Buipe and Yapei bridges.

[contextly_sidebar id=”XcmrEgDJoGSGh6o5TODu4tfT70p4pmR4″]This is affecting most travelers who rely on the Intercity STC coaches for safety, reliability and comfort.

This unpleasant situation has incurred the wrath of Intercity STC users who are calling for a resumption of the services.

One of the affected users, McDonald T, narrated his frustration in a Citi News interview, saying, “In fact, it has been a problem for us who use STC. Assuming all the private transport service providers suspend their services, imagine the socio-economic implications.”

“We just want to appeal to those in charge especially Nana Akomea, to ensure that they reactivate the movement of STC coaches in the Northern Region. I want to appeal to the Speaker of Parliament as well, to look into this very issue. It is not the best for us at this time of our lives because we are losing money and other things.”

Buipe, Yapei bridge closure: Cars, passengers stranded

The temporary closure of the Buipe and Yapei bridges in the Central Gonja District of the Northern Region is affecting socioeconomic activities in the area and beyond.

Roads and Highways Minister, Kwasi Amoako Atta, ordered the temporary measure for routine maintenance ahead of the Christmas.

He estimated that the rehabilitation works would last for four weeks, and proposed that motorists should use the Eastern Corridor, Fufulso-Sawla and Central routes as alternatives.

Since the closure, motorists from the Sahel and Northern and Upper East Regions have been stranded at the bridges site due to the long hours they have to spend waiting to cross. Commercial transport service providers including the VVIP, are compelled to use the Salaga-Makango Ferry through Yeji to connect to the southern part of the country.

Transporters of perishable farm produce to the south, are in bad business because of the number of days they spend on the road.

The two main bridges connect Ghana to neighboring countries including Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Togo. The proper construction of the Daboya bridge along that of Buipe and Yapei, will begin in 2018.

According to the Minister Roads and Highways, each of the three new bridges is estimated at 25 million US dollars each.

Afram Plains ferry relocated to Yeji-Buipe

Government has also temporally relocated the ferry at Afram Plains to Yeji-Buipe in the Northern Region, following the closure of bridges in the area for repairs and the subsequent traffic congestion in those areas.

The youth of Afram Plains had earlier rejected the relocation, and had vowed to do everything possible to stop government from doing so.

Speaking in a Citi News interview, a Deputy Minister of Transport, Daniel Titus-Glover, explained that, the ferry’s relocation was necessary to reduce the traffic congestion that had mounted, following the closure of the two bridges at Buipe and Yapei.

–

By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post STC users angry over suspension of services to Tamale 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.

–

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.