Contractors working on the Sofoline Interchange in Kumasi have moved back to site to clear a portion of the road because of the danger it poses to motorists and pedestrians at Kwadaso.
Officials from the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), are also keeping a close eye on the situation to ensure no life is threatened. The portion of road very close to the Kwadaso Underpass near the Onion Market is precisely where a major defect has been identified.
The problem was detected on Tuesday (September 11) evening following a downpour.
A visit to the scene by the GBC revealed that the contractors could not provide support for the concrete wall or slabs while there was no drainage system to direct water run-off.
Therefore, anytime it rains, the rain water tries to find its own course leading to heavy siltation of a chamber behind the concrete slabs thereby exerting excessive pressure causing the concrete works to eventually give in. At the time of our visit, the falling concrete wall hung dangerously over the road.
The portion of the road affected by the problem was closed to traffic and pedestrians as a temporary safety measure. A heavy duty machine was brought in to clear the danger.
The Safety Officer of China Geo Engineering, the project contractor, Twumasi Ankrah, refuted claims that the issue casts a slur on the project saying that it is an expansion joint.
He gave the assurance that the danger would be cleared within the shortest possible time.
