Photographs taken at the Mallam Interchange in Accra last week have raised concerns about possible structural deterioration at one of the capital’s busiest and most important road infrastructure assets, prompting calls for urgent safety assessments and maintenance.
The images, captured at the beam-column junction beneath the flyover, appear to show signs of concrete spalling, sections of damaged concrete and exposed reinforcement bars.
A visible crack also runs from the damaged beam section towards the supporting column, raising concerns among observers about the structural condition of the facility and the need for a professional assessment.
The Mallam Interchange is a dual carriageway flyover that forms part of the George Walker Bush Highway, a six-lane, 14-kilometre corridor funded by the United States Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).
Completed in 2012, maintenance of the interchange has since been managed by the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) following the transition from MCC support to domestic government funding.
Over the years, concerns have been raised about aspects of the interchange’s condition, including exposed expansion joints and other maintenance issues, with calls for rehabilitation by the GHA and the Ministry of Roads and Highways.
The latest concerns surrounding the beam-column section have heightened calls for immediate inspection and possible intervention.
Structural experts have previously warned that exposed reinforcement steel in concrete structures can increase the risk of corrosion, especially in coastal environments such as Accra where moisture and salt exposure can accelerate deterioration.
When protective concrete cover is damaged, reinforcement bars may become vulnerable to corrosion, which can weaken the strength and durability of the structure over time.
The beam-column junction is one of the most important sections of a bridge or flyover because it transfers loads from the elevated structure to the supporting columns. Any damage in such areas requires careful assessment to determine the extent of the problem.
Some residents and road users have previously expressed safety concerns around the interchange, including reports of vehicles falling from the structure.
The latest observations have renewed calls for the Ghana Highway Authority and the Ministry of Roads and Highways to treat the matter as an urgent public safety issue.
Stakeholders are calling for an independent structural assessment of the interchange, with the findings made public and any necessary rehabilitation works carried out promptly.
They argue that early intervention will help prevent further deterioration and ensure the safety of thousands of commuters, traders and motorists who use the facility daily.
ALSO:
Robbers shoot MoMo vendor at Agona Mankron
Gov’t set to evacuate fresh batch of Ghanaians from South Africa today
