<<Print>>

The Adomi Bridge across the Volta River at Atimpoku in the Asuogyamang District of the Eastern Region is due to be closed down in June this year for rehabilitation works. The 46-year-old bridge links some parts of the Eastern Region, Juapong in the North Tongu District, Ho, Hohoe and the Volta North on the east of the Volta River to the Greater Accra Region and some parts of the Eastern Region on the western part of the River. Disclosing the information in an interview with The Finder at Ho last Thursday where the Minister for Roads and Highways, Mr. Joseph Kingsford Gidisu, was scheduled to address a public forum organized by the Ghana Road Fund Management Board, the Minister explained that his Ministry and Government of Ghana (GoG) had sourced funding from the Austrian Government to commence the rehabilitation of the Adomi Bridge. Mr. Gididsu said he could not provide the exact sum involved in the rehabilitation works, but stated that the Adomi Bridge was gradually becoming weak so the earlier the rehabilitation, the better. Travelers who access the bridge from Accra, Tema and the Western and Central regions would have to use alternative routes. �For the one year that the bridge will be closed to traffic, drivers travelling to and from Ho from Accra Tema, (and the) Western and Central regions would access the Ho-Adidome stretch via Sogakope in the South Tongu District,� Mr. Gididsu said. �Two ferries would be provided at the Atimpoku end of the River to convey vehicles and passengers from Kumasi, Kpone, Koforidua and Medina to Asijuma, Boso, Kpando, Hohoe and the northern part of the Volta Region.� The Sector Minister admitted that travelling time from Accra and Tema, and the Western and Central regions to Ho would increase. Drivers and passengers The Finder interacted with on the closure of the bridge asked the Minister to ensure that the contractor working on the Ho-Adidome road hastened work. Both the Progressive Transport Owner Association (PROTOA) and Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) drivers said that transportation fares would equally be increased given that their travelling time from Ho to Accra would increase. A GPRTU executive member at the Ho bus terminal told The Finder that he was not aware that Adomi Bridge would be closed down to traffic �until you came to interview me. However, when that is officially commuted to us, we will equally know how to adjust the fares to convenience both drivers and passengers.� At the moment, vehicles weighing 20 tonnes, according to a Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) signpost mounted at Kpong, are allowed to cross the Adomi Bridge.