By Gibao Brima

It is very clear that the bridges in Freetown, western urban area have become so old that they now need urgent reconstruction to prevent unnecessary loss of precious lives.

Various stakeholders in the Brookfields over the weekend talking to the Africa24 Newspaper expressed dissatisfaction over the deteriorating condition of the Old Railway Line Bridge which they said has become a death trap.  The bridge, according to them, was constructed in the eighties and has almost worn out. Running water, they said, has destroyed the iron rods and the concrete pillars that hold the bridge. They said they are surprised at the Sierra Leone Roads Authority and the police for not blocking the entrance of the bridge in a bid to prevent big trucks using the bridge to avoid preventable accident.

They insisted on light vehicles using the bridge to prevent for unforeseeable problem.

“What we want government to do is to prevent all vehicular movement through this bridge and try to do the needful in a bid to prevent tragedy befallen us not only as a community but as a nation at large,” the people appealed, noting that nobody knows who will be the next victim.

They also drew the attention of the government to other bridges in Freetown including the New Castle Street Bridge at Kissy, The Akram dumpling Site Bridge, the Congo Cross Bridge and Tengbeh Bridge which they told the Africa24 need urgent attention.