The deteriorating state of the Dasse Bridge in the Moyamba District has led to the temporary closure of the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA).

There is no news yet as to when it would be fixed but SLRA’s Communication Specialist, Kaifa Jaward on the 18th of November 2022 told Politico that the institution has engaged Engineers to assess to know the level of damage, and was not bridge to certain when repair work will start.

Jaward explained that there is a defect on the deck of the bridge which has led them to take such action. He encouraged motor drivers to use other routes, stressing the very risky nature of the bridge for now.

SLRA had in a press release dated 17th November 2022, indicated that the bridge will be closed to vehicular movement until they amend the defect on its deck was fixed.

Drivers that intend to travel to the Rutile mining area in Moyamba from Bo district have been advised to use the Taiama-Mano Dasse- Sembehun Junction -Serabu route, whilst vehicles from the North-West and Western Area of the country should continue to use the Moyamba Junction- Njagbahun route.

According to the release, pedestrians and motorcycles are allowed to use the route to go about their daily activities.

According to the release, the Dasse Bridge connects Mano Dasse to Bajah and other villages in the Southern Province and is one of the railway crossings in the country that was not meant for vehicular traffic.

The community and a company named VIMETCO in Colonial rule that have dila 2006 reportedly constructed the deck of the bridge to enhance vehicular access to neighboring communities.

There are still several railway bridges across the country that were constructed during British Colonial rule that has been dilapidated but are still used as crossing points by communities.

The Mabang bridge also in the Moyamba district was one such railway structure that was converted into vehicular use until it finally collapsed in 2013.

It was rebuilt into a dual carriageway and opened to vehicular traffic in July this year. The bridge funded mostly by the European Union and to a little extent by the Government of Sierra Leone is 231 meters long and cost 12 Million Euros.