The Adomi Bridge, located around Akosombo and lying over the Volta River, was first opened in 1957. Contrary to common knowledge that it is the longest bridge in the country, it isn't; it is only about 339m long. The Sogakope Bridge is currently Ghana's longest bridge, spanning about 650m.
Designed by successful British engineer, Dr. William Brown, constructed by British contractor, Dorman Long, and with Consulting engineers William Halcrow & Partners and Freeman Fox & Partners, the two-hinged suspended deck road bridge with a single span steel arch of about 245m connects a great part of the Volta and Northern regions and part of the eastern region to the rest of the country, facilitating development through trade and regional integration.
The bridge, for well over forty years, diligently served this purpose to its full extent until sometime in 2008 when the need for some Structural Assessment became obvious following the notice of some major cracks on the structure's traverse beams; one beam had failed, while two others had developed serious cracks resulting in the deflection of part of the bridge deck.
Following these findings, the Government of Ghana imposed a load limit on the bridge in an attempt to slow down the rate of damage. The cracked girders were locally strengthened by the installation of additional steel plates at the affected areas. The continued use of the bridge by overloaded trucks however, further compromised its safety and stability. In April 2009, more cracks developed, mainly around the same area as the earlier ones were discovered; this necessitated major rehabilitation works on the suspension bridge.
By March 2014, the Government of Ghana had secured enough funds to cover the rehabilitation works on the bridge. It was therefore closed down for works to proceed. The close to 13 million euro engineering project, was wholly handled by Austrian contractors, Messrs Billfinger. The Austrian engineers handed over the facility to the Government of Ghana by December 2015; about two months ahead of the expected time of completion.
The Adomi bridge is located in Atimpoku in the Eastern Region of Ghana which is located along the Volta river. |
The Adomi bridge spans the Volta river that drains into the Gulf of Guinea. |
The Volta river is a river, primarily flowing in Volta Region and Dagbon in the Northen Region of Ghana. |
The Volta river drains into the Atlantic Ocean at the Gulf of Guinea in Ada. |
The Volta river has three main tributaries - the Black Volta, White Volta and Red Volta. |
The Volta river was named by Portuguese gold traders. |
The Volta river is formed from the confluence of the Black Volta, White Volta and Red Volta headstreams. |
Accra the capital of Ghana is about 130 kilometres from Atimpoku. |
A trip from the north of Ghana and one will have to go through the eastern corridor and finally use the Adomi bridge. |
The Adomi bridge crosses the Volta river south of the Akosombo Dam. |
The Volta river flows generally southward through Ghana. |
This road is adjacent to the Adomi bridge from eastern side. |
Finally, the roadside female vendors have decided to pose for me. |
She is ready for the good portrait now. |
Beautiful female vendors are near the Adomi bridge. |
A group of young and beautiful female vendors. |
A charming Ghanaian girl in an apron is a street vendor. |
Ghanaian girl is dressed in an apron with the image of a cat. |
A pretty Ghanaian girl is portrayed with a basin on the head. |
A funny Ghanaian girl. |
A lovely Ghanaian girl is dressed in the blue skirt with flowers. |
We stopped in a small town of Kpeve to buy water. |
Kpeve is a small town located in the Volta Region of Ghana. |
This is the main intersection in a small town of Kpeve. |
A furniture showroom “Nana Aye & Sons” is in Kpeve. |
A cute little Ghanaian girl is hugging mother's legs. |
Mother and her cute little daughter are in the shop in the town of Kpeve. |
Boiled eggs are on sale in the town of Kpeve. |