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Bridge Collapse: ENUGU Gov’t begins assessment of bridges, flyovers
By Ngozi Ngene
Following the recent collapse of the bridge along the Enugu – Port Harcourt Expressway at Kilometre One, the Enugu State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure has commenced an integrity assessment of bridges and Flyovers within the State.
The assessment commenced with the inspection of the Trans Ekulu Bridge and Flyover. The inspection was conducted by a team of Engineers from the Ministry led by the Deputy Director in charge of Construction and Materials.
The assessment included a close inspection of the components of the bridge and flyover respectively; the piers, abutment, bridge deck, and protection works at the abutment and expansion joints, and no defects were found.
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The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr Gerald Otiji confirmed that the integrity assessment is to provide accurate reports on the bridges and Flyovers in the State.
He stressed that the program was initiated after the unexpected collapse of the bridge at Kilometer One, Enugu Portharcourt Expressway on 25 September 2023.
The Commissioner said that Bridge inspection is a vital part of bridge management whose main objective is to establish the condition of bridges in terms of safety and serviceability for use by motorists and other road users. He stated, “After the collapse of the bridge, I knew we had work to do, to understand the condition of bridges and flyovers in the State, to make needed repairs and instill confidence in our infrastructure.”
Otiji pointed out that there would be an annual routine checks on all the bridges and flyovers in the State to ascertain their serviceability.
He stressed that Enugu State Governor Barr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah has the safety of the people who live and work in Enugu State as his number one priority.
According to him, the trans-Ekulu bridge is intact for road users and the general public. He assured the general public that the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure will continue to construct quality roads and bridges for the benefit of everyone.