A steel bridge located at Saikope in the Mepe area that connects the North Tongu town of Juapong to the Central Tongu capital town, Adidome, has collapsed.
Reports indicate that the collapse occurred when a fully loaded trailer carrying salt attempted to cross the bridge.
The town of Mepe is currently dealing with the aftermath of flooding caused by the spillage from the Volta River Authority (VRA).
Fortunately, there have been no reported fatalities resulting from the incident.
In response to the collapse of the bridge, the District Chief Executive, Osborn Divine Fenu, has issued a public advisory via his personal Facebook page.
He urges motorists to take an alternate route through another Mepe town, Dadome, to access Adidome and Juapong safely.
Even though investigations into the actual cause of the collapse have yet to commence, the DCE suspects overloading.
While the DCE’s claim is a possibility, authorities had stationed a warning sign, signalling road users of a “weak bridge ahead” of them several months ago.
There is also a sign that says the maximum load limit of the bridge is 25 tonnes.
Below is the DCE’s update and advisory, as shared on his personal Facebook wall:
Urgent Notice
We woke up to the distressing news of another sudden accident—the collapse of the steel bridge at Saikope-Mepe along the Adidome to Juapong Road.
The report has it that a fully loaded trailer carrying salt, likely surpassing the recommended maximum load of 25 tonnes, traversed the bridge, resulting in its collapse. Fortunately, the driver and the mate are reported to be safe.
We have promptly informed all relevant stakeholders to ensure swift action is taken. The urgent need for a new bridge at the location is abundantly clear.
In the interim, we advise all motorists to utilize the diversion via Dadome to Adidome and Juapong.
In times like this, it’s crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved. This is a challenging situation, but we trust in our collective ability to address it effectively.
This, too, shall pass!