Katabuli Bridge is still in a dilapidated state despite several rectification works

Oct 11, 2010 News

A few years ago, approximately G$14 million was allocated for the reconstruction of the Katabuli Bridge in Linden, Region 10.
At first, the project started with replacing the aged structure, but saw the creek which the previous bridge was built over, being diverted.
This move caused numerous complications at the site angering residents, who use it to access the rest of the Region’s communities.
The construction firm was tasked with erecting a concrete post in the creek which would have given support to the bridge.
After the contractor realised that he was not capable of doing such task, he took it upon himself to have it built on the dry surface, a few meters away from the old bridge.

The controversial Katabulli Bridge.

The present bridge was constructed a mere couple of feet away from the old one.
Orin Gordon, Chairman of IMC, was most vocal in his condemnation of this, and had irately asked, “Why build a bridge a couple of feet away from an existing one, which entails breaking the road to erect the new bridge, then having to full the cavity where the old ridge was (over the creek) then diverting the natural course of the creek to flow under the new bridge? What sense does that make?”
The major concern was the fact that works had commenced as a rehabilitation project, but somehow later developed into something totally uncalled for.
Chairman of Region 10, Mortimer Mingo and IMC Chairman, Orin Gordon had expressed in an earlier interview, grave concern over the pristine, infrastructural works that were carried out on the said bridge at the time.
“I don’t know who made the decision to divert from rehabilitating the former bridge to erecting a completely new infrastructure; and all this was done unknown to the RDC and the Council,” Mingo had declared at the time.
According to Gordon, diverting the Katabulli Creek from its natural course, through a man made canal, would have posed major problems, primarily erosion.
Gordon further pointed out that original concrete revetments were removed from the former bridge, something that was totally unwise and uncalled for, and a lot of the erosion that subsequently occurred was due to that. He also expressed concern over launches and barges which dock at the bridge for repairs.
“These vessels should not be docking at the bridge, it is not a wharf, and I would appreciate if these persons would desist from this practice, which would only result in further damage to the present infrastructure,” Gordon declared.
Apart from that, both Mingo and Gordon had opined that the sustainability of the infrastructure was highly questionable, as the constant battering of water on both sides of the structure, was a recipe for disaster.
Already, the effects of that battering is clearly visible, and many residents are now wondering how long will it be before the bridge crashes into the creek, and another huge chunk of taxpayers money will have to again be expended.