NEW MAGBELE BRIDGE TO BE OPENED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC IN APRIL
The Works Contractor, CSE has committed to complete the Magbele Bridge at the end of March, 2022. The completion of works will eventually lead to the opening of the bridge to vehicular traffic in April, 2022.
The commitment was made on Friday March 4, 2022 when a delegation from the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) and the National Authorising Office (NAO), together with journalists, went on a joint monitoring mission to assess the progress made on the construction of the Magbele and Mabang bridges.
The construction of Magbele and Mabang bridges comprises Lot 2 of the Moyamba-Moyamba Junction Road and Bridges Project that is funded by the European Union.
The project progress report that was presented by the Consultants, Politecnica showed that 88 percent of works has been completed on both bridges.
The report stated that 92 percent of works has been completed on the Magbele Bridge, and that the remaining works, which includes protection works, line drains, pavement marking, installation of traffic signs, and the shaping of side slopes for the approach road will be completed soon.
The report also stated that 86 percent of the works on Mabang Bridge has been completed, while the approach road, abutment backwall and wingwall concreting works, and handrail installation works were in progress.
The Director of Planning, Policy and Research at SLRA, who doubles as the Project Manager, Ing. Vandy French, expressed satisfaction with the level of progress and quality of the work. “Most of the issues that we had raised have been addressed by the consultant and contractor.” He said.
The National Authorising Officer at NAO, Mr. Ambrose James, was as well satisfied with the progress made on the project. He said, “we are satisfied because the contractor and consultant are working according to the project documents.”
Mr. James expressed hope for the Magbele Bridge to be completed soon and inaugurated at the end of March or early April.
The scope of work for the Magbele Bridge entails the construction of a new two-lane steel bridge with concrete deck that spans 163 metres long over the Rokel River, and the construction of 548 metres of paved approach road.
The scope of works for the Mabang Bridge entails the construction of a new two-lane steel bridge with deck concrete that spans 231 metres across the Ribi River in Moyamba District, and the construction of 312 metres of paved approach road.
The completion of the two bridges will reduce travel time and cost and facilitate trade primarily in Port Loko and Moyamba districts, and ease access to the Northern and Southern regions of Sierra Leone.