Deputy Minister for Roads and Highway, Kwabena Owusu Aduomi at Yapei bridge
Repair works are ongoing on the Buipe-Yapei bridge after it was closed down early this month.
The closure of the bridge for repair works has affected human and vehicular movement.
It is estimated that about GH¢4 million would be used to repair the bridge for four weeks.
Briefing the media, the Deputy Minister for Roads and Highway, Kwabena Owusu Aduomi, said work on the bridge is 55 percent complete and it’s expected to hit 80 percent in a week’s time.
The closure, according to the Roads and Highways Minister, Akwasi Amoako Atta, is to pave way for major repair works on the bridge to prevent accident.
Mr Aduomi hinted that 15 out of the 19 expansion joints on the bridge had been demolished, with 10 of them reinforced with strong bars.
“This is to make the joints of the bridge stronger to improve its holding capacity.”
The Deputy Roads and Highways Minister indicated that the bridge, when completed, would have an axel road to check the weight of vehicles that ply the road to keep it in good shape.
He said measures had been put in place to ensure the longevity of the bridge.
Meanwhile, Kwabena Owusu Aduomi has revealed that government was making plans to replace the over 54-year-old Buipe-Yapei bridge within the next three years with a new one.
The Deputy Roads Minister said procurement has been made for the construction of the new bridge.
From Eric Kombat, Yapei