GHA rehabilitates bridge over Birim River at Oda

Rehabilitation work has begun on the weak bridge spanning the Birim River at Akyem Oda, which has become a death trap.

The project, which is being executed by the Bridge Maintenance Unit of the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA), would be completed in two months.

The road has, therefore, been closed to vehicular traffic, compelling travellers  communiting between Akyem Ayirebi, Ofoase, Nkawkaw, New Abirem and Kumasi vice-versa, to cross the bridge on foot before boarding other vehicles to continue their journey.

Birim Central MCE

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Birim Central, Mr Kwabena Nkansah-Asare led a team of media personnel to inspect work on the project last Tuesday.

He appealed to users of the road to bear with the government for the inconvenience caused by the closure of the bridge, adding that it was in the interest of the public.

Mr Nkansah-Asare advised the GHA staff working on the project to not only use durable materials but also do quality work for the bridge to last longer.

Bear with GHA

The head of the contractors, Mr Isaac Brown, a civil engineer with the GHA, promised that the team would execute quality work in order to lengthen the lifespan of the bridge.

He said the use of the bridge by overloaded heavy duty vehicles over the years had weakened it.

Mr Brown also expressed concern about the inconvenience created for commuters, following the closure of the bridge to vehicles but urged them to bear with the GHA, adding that ultimately, the bridge would become safer for motorists, passengers and pedestrians.