By Politico staff writer
The Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) together with the Ministry of Works and Public Assets has in a press release assured the public of swift action to repair the damage on the Aberdeen Bridge, while assuring that its current state does not pose any risk to the movement of people, and vehicles on the said bridge.
Footage showing slackening of the bolts and knots on some of the iron bars underneath the structure as the vehicle passed overhead, went viral on social media. The video filmed by a citizen journalist tried to explain the cause of a persistent loud noise emanating from the bridge that is on an important route connecting parts of Freetown west to the Aberdeen creek community and Beachfront where numerous hotels and restaurants are located.
This led to public outcries and became a topic of discussion on social media platforms with many calling for swift action from the necessary authorities to avert a reoccurrence of the Savage Bridge that collapsed in September 2020 with no casualty recorded.
The Councilor of Ward 443 Aberdeen, Abdul Karim Bangura also joined the call for action, describing the scene as a disaster waiting to fall. He said the damage is a result of vibrations from the blasting of dynamite by community youths. He said if actions are not taken urgently, there would be a cutoff to Aberdeen from the Sir Samuel Lewis Road axis.
According to the statement, the SLRA in consultation with the Works Ministry on 26th January this year dispatched structural engineers to do an assessment of the situation.
“The outcome of the preliminary investigation shows that there is no immediate risk of collapse of the bridge. The investigation however shows there is indeed damage in the modular expansion joint which is largely due to deterioration of the dampers towards the Aberdeen approach,” the statement reads.
It added that the authority has mobilized to remedy the defect temporally while permanent measures on the maintenance and rehabilitation of the bridge are pursued.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (31/01/22)
