The state of Breman-Mbem Bridge at Breman in the Twifo Hemang Lower Denkyira District on the Cape Coast-Jukwa- Twifo Praso road is currently in a deplorable state posing danger to drivers and pedestrians plying the road.
The bridge plays a crucial role in linking the Central Regional Capital, Cape Coast to the popular Kakum National Park through to the Twifo oil Palm Plantation to the northern part of the Central Region.
The said bridge has contractors working on it but at a slow pace leaving parts of it narrow for vehicular movements.
Also, the inadequate visible warning signs on the condition of the bridge further pose a threat to users including tourists visiting the popular Kakum National Park.
Nana Abban, an assembly member for Breman-Mbem and the Presiding Member for the Twifo Hemang Lower Denkyira District Assembly notes that already a young man had died as a result of the bridge’s condition.
“A young man fell into the water and died and when the fire service personnel from Cape Coast arrived, we got to know the base of the bridge was deteriorating and had become a hanging bridge”, he said.
According to him, although the contractor working on it used boulders and concrete to support the washed base of the bridge, there is much work to be done to ensure the free movement of vehicles.
Currently, half of the single carriage two-lane road has been washed off leaving the other half for vehicular traffic.
Nana Abban however revealed that checks by the Ghana Highways Authority indicate the road is still safe to use in the meantime.
He however emphasized that it is important for drivers to drive with caution on the bridge.
Effect on Tourists visiting the Kakum National Park
ATLFM checks indicate that some new tourists upon getting to the bridge to visit the Kakum National Park had to turn back because of the bridge’s current state.
“This has really affected the development of the area as well because if tourists continue to visit the popular Kakum National Park, development is sure to come to the area” Mr. Abban added.
He is therefore calling on the Government to resource the contractor to enable him to finish on time.
He also reassured that the bridge is safe to use emphasizing that all users of the road should not speed up on the bridge.
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Source: Kofi Konadu/ATLFMNEWS