Traffic has resumed on Karuma Bridge after more than three months of closure as the bridge underwent major rehabilitation works.
Karuma Bridge was closed to both light and heavy traffic in September after the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) engineers discovered faults on the bridge deck, expansion joints and bearings.
By early as 7 am on Friday, December 20th 2024, the first passenger bus from Gulu to Kampala crossed over the bridge.
Shortly after the commissioning by the State Minister for Works, Musa Ecweru, jubilant residents of Karuma were joined by a group of Acholi traditional dancers in celebrating the reopening of the bridge before all types of vehicles started crossing the bridge.
Ecweru called the commissioning a special day for the people of Uganda especially those in Kryandongo district and Northern Uganda who were affected the most saying this was remedial works to ensure easy transportation of goods and passengers.
Eng. Lawrence Pario, the Head of Bridges and Structures at UNRA revealed that 95 percent of the major rehabilitation works on the bridge had already been completed that is the bridge deck, the replacement of 12 bearings, the laying of asphalt, installation of the guard rails, lights, and parapet walls among others.
He however noted that they were yet to install four expansion joints which are on sea being shipped from China. The expansion joints which are crucial to support the movements of the bridge are expected to arrive on site in January 2025 according to Eng. Pario.
Tony Awany, the Nwoya County Member of Parliament also the Deputy Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Physical Infrastructure lauded the Government for keeping up with its promise of reopening the bridge within three months arguing that its closure had negatively impacted trade and transport.
Karuma bridge rehabilitation works were undertaken by the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) and the China Seventh Railway Group to a tune of 6.8 billion shillings. Engineers say the rehabilitation works have since enhanced the life span of the 62-year-old bridge by more than 20 years.
The Government is already making headway to construct a new suspended bridge over the Nile River as an alternative to the Karuma bridge which will be undertaken by the Japanese Government.
By Our Reporter
20 Dec 2024
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