Audio By Carbonatix
The Adomi Bridge has been closed to vehicular traffic, Monday, for a major rehabilitation works to commence, after a brief ceremony was performed.
The bridge, which caters for travellers on the eastern corridor of the Volta region, is expected to be completed in two years barring unforeseen circumstances.
Vehicles from Accra to Ho and vice-versa will now have to cross the Volta Lake at Senchi to Old Akradi and continue to Juapong. .
But some residents, motorists and travellers, who ply the route are not satisfied with the alternative arrangements made.
They claim the alternative roads are very bad and an inconvenience to travellers and other road users.
However, the Minister of Roads and Highways, Amin Amidu Sulemani assures the travelling public that the renovation works will be completed within schedule.
According to the minister, the renovation works can no longer be put on hold since the country is losing a lot of money as the contractor for the project had been on site for a year now.
Amidu Sulemani also assured that the alternative road will soon be put in good shape.
Speaking to Joy News Monday, the Eastern Regional Director of the Ghana Highways Authority, Jojo Arthur said concrete and steel works on the bridge will be the focus of the renovation.
Additionally, Mr. Arthur is hopeful the renovation works may be completed ahead of the scheduled 24 months barring any unforeseen incident.
The bridge, which has a lifespan of fifty years, the Mr. Arthur pointed out, will be strengthened to enable it carry heavier loads as the two lanes will also be maintained.
He further advocated for a regular maintenance to be performed on the bridge after the renovation works to keep it in good shape and to increase its lifespan to another fifty years.
But as the bridge closes, commuters are already kicking against a two-cedi charge for using a lorry park managed by a private developer.
They are also complaining about the cost of the ferry.
Eastern Regional Correspondent, Kofi Siaw reported that officials of the Ghana highway authority and the private developer held a meeting with the latter being asked to desist from charging the two-cedis per a vehicle for using the car park.
The private developer was stopped from charging the fee because his proposal had not been approved by the minister before going ahead with the charge.
The highway authority has therefore asked drivers to boycott the use of the parking bay and use the ferry site to be transported to the other side of the river.
4*4, Pick-up and urvan buses are to pay GHc12.00 to be ferried across the lake by one of the two pontoons (Senchi and Akradi).
Saloon cars are paying GHc10.00 and VIP/Metro Mass Transit Buses are to pay 20.00. Pontoon 'Akradi' has already become defective in the afternoon. This situation built -up traffic at the Ferry landing site.
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