Road traffic crossing the River Nile in Jinja from the Kampala side will be diverted to use the old Nalubaale bridge with effect from April 15th according to the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA).
The diversion is to allow for repairs on the New Source of the Nile Bridge. The restoration works seek to replace the defective pavement/asphalt layer on the bridge.
Constructed at Shs450 billion, the New Bridge was designed with a structural life span of 120 years and its picturesque location is expected to enhance tourism in the country. The 525m-long bridge has a central span of 290m, end spans of 135m and 100m on the east and west banks respectively.
The overall width of the Bridge is 22.9m wide. It has a dual carriageway 7.0m wide with a pedestrian walkway of 2.25m wide on both ends.
“The contractor of the source of the Nile Bridge, under the supervision of the consultant, the Joint Venture of Oriental Consultants Co. Ltd representing the Uganda National Roads authority [UNRA] will undertake restoration works to replace the defective pavement asphalt layer on the bridge to start on the 15th of April 2019 up to the 10th July 2019,” reads the public notice seen by this website.
The construction process will involve the application of a waterproofing material to the concrete deck surface that will effectively bond with the modified polymer asphalt layer.
The restoration is to be handled by the eight Japan Engineering Consultants Inc. and PyungHwa Engineering Consultant Co. Limited.
This is the second time for the bridge to be repaired. However, Allan Sempebwa, the media relations manager in the office of UNRA Executive Director, said the January claims were not true explaining that the layer they had put on the bridge was temporary and that they were removing it to put the main one.
The main one has developed cracks in a space of one month.
