The reconstruction of the bridge connecting the Osona military base and Osona village will cost approximately N$28 million, newly appointed Minister of Works and Transport, Veikko Nekundi, has announced.
The bridge, sustained damage following heavy rains last week, leading to its official closure for public use.
Nekundi confirmed that multiple roads across the country were affected by the rains, but noted that only two bridges suffered significant damage.
“The Okahandja bridge contractor has already been appointed, and we expect them to be on site this week. The estimated budget for reconstruction is approximately N$28 million,” he said.
He further said that engineers are in the process of designing reconstruction plans for the damaged bridge at Aris.
“Once finalized, the project is expected to take around seven months, as it will be upgraded into a dual carriageway,” he said.
In light of the damage, Nekundi urged residents of Osona to use alternative routes.
“We are asking residents of Osona to drive back to Okahandja and then take the main highway to Windhoek. Those in the Osona military base who need to access Okahandja should use the dual carriageway leading to the town. These are the two main affected roads,” he said.
He also confirmed that the reconstruction of the bridge between Windhoek and Rehoboth will take approximately seven months.
“The reconstruction will take us around seven months, so it’s not a quick solution. We will have to make sure that we design it to withstand the flow of water we have observed,” Nekundi said.
