Concerns have been raised regarding the structural integrity of a bridge along the Makeni-Magburaka road in Bombali District, following reports circulating on social media.
In response, the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) has issued a press release today to clarify the situation.
According to the SLRA, their engineers have conducted a thorough inspection of the bridge at Makambo village.
“The bridge structure itself is in good condition, and there is no cause for alarm,” an SLRA confirmed. However, the inspection revealed that the road section adjacent to the bridge on the Magburaka side has experienced some settlement.
The SLRA noted that “the settlement on the transition pavement has caused cracks on the road pavement near the bridge abutment and at the end of the transition pavement.”
This issue reportedly arose after recent flooding, which caused water ingress, leading to the weakening and subsequent settlement of the transition pavement.
The SLRA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Works and Public Assets (MOWPA), has assured the public that the situation is under close monitoring.
“Immediate action will be taken to rectify the defects,” the authority added.
The SLRA management reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety and reliability of the nation’s roadways, emphasizing that they are “dedicated to maintaining safe and reliable roads nationwide.”
The public is encouraged to stay informed through official channels as the SLRA works to address the situation.
