The new bridge.
The reconstructed Asutuare Bridge in the Shai Osudoku District of the Greater Accra Region is ready to be opened.
Traffic flow is expected to see a significant improvement with the wider, two-lane bridge.
Through the Shai Osudoku District and the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA), works on the bridge are expected to be completed and opened to commuters soon.
Head of Bridge Maintenance Department at the Ghana Highway Authority, Engineer Isaac Brown, explained that the progress of the work was due to cooperation by the people of the communities.
The metallic bridge was impassable by either vehicles or pedestrians as its metal rails were rusty and hung loose, and its floor was feeble. Commuters had to make long winding diversions from Asutsuare or Osuwem to Akuse or Kpong.
The Ghana Highway Authority then moved in quickly to close down the bridge due to its dilapidated state to enable maintenance work to be carried out after several appeals from residents.
The closure of the bridge slowed down transport service in the town as heavy trucks and other vehicles are not allowed to cross it.
Only motorcycles were allowed to cross the bridge until it was finally closed.
Road diversion through Akuse-Marego to Asutuare which happens to a long route was the only means to commute to Akuse.
Residents have also expressed excitement about the reconstruction of the bridge and thanked government for the immediate step taken to address their plight and halt any future disaster.
But the single-lane bridge has no pedestrian walkways as some residents have expressed concerns that it would be risky to pupils and children who cross the bridge daily.
They, however, appealed to the District Chief Executive for the area, Daniel Akufo and government, to restrict trucks beyond a certain weight from plying the bridge in order to extend its lifespan.
From Vincent Kubi, Asutuare