Roads Authority (RA) has announced plans to fix Nkoma and Luluzi bridges on the M5 in Nkhotakota to facilitate access by both large and small vehicles.
The two bridges collapsed last week following heavy rains experienced in the district, rendering the area impassable to motorists and disconnecting the southern part of Nkhotakota from Nkhata Bay and Mzuzu.
RA chief executive officer Ammiel Champiti said in an interview yesterday that they were informed of the damage at Nkoma Bridge on Friday and on Saturday they visited the place for inspection.
Nkhotakota. | Nation
“Nkoma Bridge had emergency repairs in December 2023 or early 2024. The bridge has collapsed on the Nkhata Bay side, causing the deck to tilt to approximately 2.5 metres difference with the standing side of the bridge and that is a very big complication for travel although we have observed that people are crossing on foot,” he said.
Champiti said both sites are being earmarked for emergency works and RA intends to construct a semi-permanent structure which can also be used as a diversion during construction as they feel the existing structures on Nkoma Bridge are compromised and may give way any time.
Nkhotakota acting district commissioner Mathias Blugama said in an interview yesterday that they have initiated parallel efforts to engage a contractor, China Civil Engineering Limited to hit the ground today or tomorrow.
Last month, RA reopened some critical sections of key roads that were cut off by flooding waters after incessant rains hit the country.
Champiti said about 65 road sections nationwide were damaged by heavy rains with the Northern and Southern regions recording the highest number of affected points.
