Construction of Aswa Bridge on course

The construction of Aswa Bridge on the Lira, Pader, Kitgum road is expected to be completed on time by April 2017, Wang Cheng, the Project Manager based at the bridge said.

Wang said they have already started work on the bridge after first completing preliminary work which included a temporary detouring (diversion) of the river to enable construction of the temporary bypass and bridge to ease traffic and creating a dry working ground to do the bridge structures and foundation.

Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) Lira Station Manager Francy Harriet Ogam confirmed that the contractor is on time and has already completed 46% of the work and their work is good.

Aswa Bridge bordering Pader and Lira districts collapsed in October 2015 under the weight of a heavily loaded truck belonging to Tororo Cement factory.

A Chinese firm, China Chongqing International Construction Company (CICO) is contracted to re-construct the bridge at cost of approximately sh11.1bn within 12 month effective April.

The new reinforced concrete bridge according to UNRA, will be 56 metres long with 3 spans compared to the collapsed bridge that was only 31.1 metres long and with a single span. The bridge will also have a 1.5 metres walk-way area on either side to avoid conflict between the motorists and pedestrians.

Eng. Lawrence Pario, Senior Manager Bridges and Structures at UNRA told New Vision in May that the main bridge is going to be constructed in 12 months effective April 20.

Before April next year you will have a new bridge which is 56metres long, much bigger than the one we had before. It will be raised higher and will have two lanes for traffic and walk way on either side,"Pario said then.

The engineer said there will be no conflict of pedestrian traffic and motorized traffic. "We are also going to realign and re-engineer a section of 500 metres on either side with tarmac so that when one lands on the bridge, there is less encumbrance."

Pario said that on completion, the new structure will have a design life of 120 years.
The bridge connects Abim, Agago, Pader, Kitgum, Lamwo districts and South Sudan.
The temporary bypass has eased transport between the districts