Articulated truck hangs as steel bridge collapses in Garu

An articulated truck carrying about 1,000 bags of soya beans and other foodstuff dangerously tilted on its side when a steel bridge it was plying on collapsed at Garu Tempane district of the Upper East Region on Friday.

According to the District Chief Executive of Garu Tempane, Emmanuel Asore Avoka who visited the place with some assembly officials said an emergency route will be created for vehicles and travelers.

The bridge was rehabilitated in 2007 after heavy floods destroyed properties including the bridge, and has not had any routine checks over the years.

Many vehicles and residents from Bawku and Garu plying the road are stranded and frustrated at the condition of bridge. The DCE cautioned drivers and commuters plying the road to be extra careful when crossing because of the danger it poses.

He said the Regional Minister, Rockson Ayine Bukari has been informed about the situation with the minister assuring him that technocrats will soon assess the extent of damage caused.

Residents attributed the cause to the number of heavy trucks plying the road to the construction site of the Tamne Dam project. The Tamne dam is an irrigation dam which construction started in July 2016.