The Ghana Highways Authority (GHA) will from today, November 20, 2017, close down the Buipe and Yapei bridges in the Northern Region.

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.

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