Kulungugu: Road users appeal for the creation of temporal diversions following closure of bridge

Following the closure of the Kulungugu Bridge on the Missiga-Kulungugu highway, motorists plying the stretch have been asked to use two alternative routes to get to their preferred destinations. 

 These are 26 kilometre stretch from Bawku through Mognori into Burkina Faso and 55 kilometre stretch from Missiga through Polmakom to Cinkasse into Burkina Faso. 

According to a statement issued by the Ghana Highway Authority, the closure of the bridge which began yesterday and expected to last for four weeks, was to pave way for major rehabilitation works due to its deplorable state. 

 Meanwhile, road users are appealing to the authority to consider creating temporal diversions since the route is preferably short and much convenient as compared to the alternative routes provided.

Heavy Duty Truck Driver, Malik Ibrahim

Assembly Member, Kulungugu Electoral Area Hon. Alhassan Wusubur

Report

Kulungugu is a small town in the Upper East Region and a minor entry point at the border of Burkina Faso and Bawku as well as Pusiga.

The 100 kilometer drive from Bolgatanga equally links Ghana to neighbouring Niger and Togo.

 For years, the Kulungugu Bridge had served as entry and exit points for the transportation of good and services to and from Burkina Faso.

 The bridge which is part of the eastern corridor road is now at the verge of collapse as portions of the bridge are worn out, thereby exposing its physical defects. 

The bridge poses a death trap and requires a short term measure to avert a possible collapse. 

As a result, the Ghana Highways Authority announced for the closure of the bridge to enable the Bridge Maintenance Unit of the Authority carry out major repair works.

 The closure of the said bridge which began yesterday is to be opened to traffic on the 18^th of next month barring any unforeseen event.  

 Since the pronouncement, drivers among other road users have raised concerns about the sudden closure, which they noted would affect their daily activities considering the short notice. 

They argued that though some alternative routes have been provided, it was still expedient for the Highways Authority to consider creating temporal diversions since the existing routes are long and winding. 

In response to the concern raised, the DCE for Pusiga, Abdullai Zuberu told Radio Ghana that a contractor had been called on site to begin with the proposed diversion.

 He however emphasized that his outfit is in talks with the highway maintenance engineer to as a matter of urgency extend the closing period to Friday March 23^rd as this might affect the socio-economic activities and huge revenue loss to the assembly. 

The Regional Highways Director, Philip Samwini who spoke to our team off camera said a four-man engineering team had since been deployed to the site to commence work, adding that measures are in place to complete work on schedule. 

Meanwhile, movement of heavy duty trucks are being restricted in order not to put undue gravity on the bridge to force its possible collapse.  

END