Concrete road signs to replace metallic ones

Mar 14, 2013

The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) is considering using concrete road signs in place of metallic and aluminum road signs that are being used presently.Rampant theft of road signs has plagued most highways contributing to the road carnage.

By Billy Rwothungeyo

The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) is considering using concrete road signs in place of metallic and aluminum road signs that are being used presently.

Rampant theft of road signs has plagued most highways contributing to the road carnage.

Recently, the state minister for works, Eng. John Byabagambi, ordered the Police in Kigezi region to shoot on sight such vandals.

Dan Alinange, UNRA’s head of corporate communications says besides being less attractive to thieves, concrete road signs are cheaper.

Alinange revealed this after UNRA initiated the procurement of the provision and installation of reinforced concrete marker posts on selected roads across the country.

These posts will be used to demarcate the road reserves acquired by the authority. However, UNRA could not reveal the cost of the project as the procurement process is still in its early stages.

“We have to wait for the tenders to come in before we discuss the costs. Whatever I say may influence the bid prices,” Alinange said. Receiving of bids for this procurement will close on April 17 and the contract will be awarded on June 25.

Alinange explains why UNRA is fast acquiring road reserves:

“The entire corridor for a single lane is 30 metres wide. The cost of land acquisition is high and it is estimated that in future, acquisition of land will cost more than the actual construction of roads.”

Concrete marker posts are already present on Hoima, the Northern Bypass and Karuma-Nebbi-Arua roads.




 

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