60 weak bridges identified for rehabilitation

Accra, Oct. 7, GNA - An inventory of bridge assets were completed in July this year and 25 narrow bridges and 60 weak ones were identified for rehabilitation and replacement, the Minister of Roads and Transport, Dr. Richard Anane said on Thursday.

Answering a question in Parliament, the Minister said work on the widening of the bridge across River Ochi at Ochisoa in the Asikuma/Odoben/Brakwa District in the Central Region would be completed in 2007.

Mr Paul Appiah Ofori, NPP-Asikuma/Odoben/Brakwa had sought to find out from the Minister what plans were in place to widen the narrow bridge across Ochi River.

Mr Anane said Ochi Bridge was constructed in the 1930s and its width was not adequate for safe use by two vehicles travelling side by side or in the opposite direction.

In a related development, the Minister said the Somanya town roads were being rehabilitated in phases with funding from the Road fund and HIPC Benefit Funds.

He said the works included the construction of drains and bituminous surfacing.

The Minister said the first phase of the project was awarded to a contractor last year at a contract sum of 1.075 billion cedis.