The town of Mepe, already grappling with the aftermath of flooding caused by the Volta River Authority (VRA) spillage, faces yet another unfortunate event as a crucial steel bridge at Saikope has collapsed.
This bridge, vital for connecting the North Tongu town of Juapong to the Central Tongu capital town of Adidome, succumbed to the weight of a fully loaded trailer carrying salt.
Fortunately, there have been no reported fatalities resulting from the collapse, but the incident adds another layer of difficulty for the residents of Mepe. The collapse occurred despite warnings, as authorities had previously placed a sign indicating a “weak bridge ahead” for the awareness of road users.
In response to the collapse, District Chief Executive Osborn Devine Fenu issued a public advisory via his personal Facebook Page. Motorists are urged to take an alternate route through another Mepe town, Dadome, to access Adidome and Juapong safely.
Investigations into the cause of the collapse are pending, but the DCE has alleged overloading of the truck as a potential factor. However, it should be noted that authorities had already signaled the compromised state of the bridge by placing warning signs, suggesting a possibility of structural weakness.
A crucial point in the ongoing situation is the maximum load limit sign at the bridge, indicating a threshold of 25 tons. Until investigations conclude, it remains unclear whether the collapse was primarily due to the weakened state of the bridge or the excess tonnage carried by the trailer.
The incident highlights the challenges faced by Mepe, with a combination of flooding and now a disrupted transportation route. The community awaits the outcome of investigations to determine the exact cause of this unfortunate event and to chart a path towards necessary repairs and restoration of essential connectivity.