By Spy Uganda
Kampala, Uganda: Officials at the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) have spoken out about the ongoing repair works at the New Jinja Bridge claiming the ongoing works are just normal tests intended to ascertain the road worthiness and durability.
This comes at the foot heels of some critics alleging that the bridge is already damaged just a few months after its launch and that the contractor has already started repairing it as seen in the photo evidence.
However, according to a statement released by UNRA through the Uganda Media Centre, the construction works currently going on at the bridge are normal and part of the agreement the Government of Uganda signed with the contractors. The UNRA statement reads thus;
“In an earlier communication, the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) informed the public that the Contractor on the Source of the Nile Bridge in Jinja was conducting several tests to form a base line data for the Bridge Structural Health monitoring. We also added that the wearing course seen and referred to as ‘bumpy’ or cracked by a section of the public is a non structural attachment and therefore not a defect on the bridge. It’s to be replaced with permanent asphalt as soon as investigation on structural behaviour is concluded and baseline data is formed. This will be done within the defect liability period before contractor leaves the site. ”
The statement adds that “At the moment, the Contractor has completed all the tests and has embarked on plans to start application of permanent asphalt on the bridge deck but as a contractual requirement they are preparing a trial section of asphalt on the bridge at the length of approximately 100m on both approaches of the bridge.This is ongoing and the exercise shall not interrupt the flow of traffic on the bridge.”
