| Adomi Bridge Closed To Heavy Trucks |
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| Monday, 25 January 2010 12:18 | |||
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Consequently, all vehicles should be re-routed through the 60-kilometer Juapong-Adidome road to help save the life of the bridge which is tilting towards the coastal side. These measures are to ensure the lifespan of the over 50 year-old bridge which experts say will collapse if heavy or overloaded vehicles are allowed to use it. This decision was arrived at when the Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways, Mr. Rojo Joseph Metttle Nunoo, together with some technical experts inspected the bridge and conducted a special exercise to emphasise the need for transporters to adhere to the required total weight limit of 30 metric tonnes per vehicle. Double axle vehicles, must not exceed 22-metric tonnes. In the event that these measures are not adhered to, and the bridge collapses, the route to Northern Volta, Northern Region, as well as Togo will be closed and businesses within these areas will cease. Over 500 million dollars will be needed to replace it. The Deputy Minister has therefore called on the public and media to collaborate with the ministry to help drum home its message to save the life of the Adomi bridge, saying 'it is a normal asset that needs to be preserved.' Six contractors will therefore be engaged to upgrade the gravel surface to bitumen surface road within the next two months since it is an emergency situation. Mr. Peter Dagadu, Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of Administration at the Ghana Highways Authority, contributing, is optimistic that emergency project will be executed quickly and therefore allow the heavy duty vehicles to cross the bridge. As an immediate measure, the Ghana Highway Authority will introduce some weight control mechanisms to compel transporters to abide by the directive of the not exceeding the 30 metric tonnes per truck within the period under which the upgrading will be completed. Earlier during the inspection of the bridge, a number of vehicles were intercepted for infractions of the law. A truck was impeded for smuggling uncustomed textile from Togo. It was subsequently escorted by security operatives back to Accra. Bookmark with:
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With effect from April this year, all heavy vehicles with single axle above 11.5 metric tonnes will not be allowed to use the Adomi Bridge.