The Tamdne and Kulungugu bridges in the Tempane and Pusiga Districts respectively of the Upper East Region are expected to be opened to motorists in June.
The bridges, when opened, will ensure vibrant economic activities between Ghana and neighbouring countries such as Burkina Faso and Togo.
The Tamdne bridge collapsed on July 14, 2017, when an articulated truck loaded with bags of millet fell on its side while the Kulungugu bridge was also closed to traffic by the government on Monday, March 19, 2018 to allow for major repair works.
Speaking to Citi News after inspecting the progress of works at the bridges, the Upper East Regional Director of Ghana Highways Authority, Philip Samani, said, major repair works on the two bridges are completed except for some remedial works before the bridges could be reopened to the public in three weeks’ time.
“Major works on the two bridges are completed but there are some remedial works such as providing metallic capping to the edges of the bridges and removing the debris beneath the bridges which can be done in two weeks…And so I am confident that we shall fix the remedial works soon and open the bridges to commuters in three weeks time”.
The Upper East Regional Minister, Rockson Bukari who was also on the tour entreated the Ghana Highway Authority to expedite action on the remedial works and open the bridges to the public.
He stressed that, the NPP government will ensure value for money by ensuring that the bridges stand the test of time.
Mr. Bukari called on the youth in the region to avoid engaging in acts that could disturb the peace in the region and urged them to take advantage of the government’s pro-poor policies and employment opportunities to contribute their quota to the development of the region.
He also impressed on the media to help market the region in order to attract investors to the area for job opportunities.
In March 2018, the Ghana Highways Authority announced that it was closing the Kulungugu Bridge on the Missiga to Kulungugu road in the Upper East Region for major repair works to take place for 30 days.
In 2007, the bridge collapsed after a downpour, forcing the then government to immediately repair it.
Six years later, in 2016, the bridge began to deteriorate again, forcing the government to restrict its use to light-weight vehicles.
It was however repaired later to enable heavy-duty vehicles use it.
The Highways Authority is seeking to maintain and repair worn-out portions of the bridge to prevent it from collapse.
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By: Frederick Awuni/citinewsroom.com/Ghana
