08 Nov 2022

The Ministry of Transport and Public Works aims to make an assessment of the Boatle Bridge embankment following its collapse on Tuesday.
Deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Public Works, Mr Isaac Moepeng said in an interview that his office was yet to consult with all relevant stakeholders in order to provide a detailed report on what led to the collapse of the bridge embankment at the Boatle interchange.
He said his office received a report following Monday’s heavy showers that the other side of the bridge embankment gave in.
He said they had not conducted a detailed investigation, but that from visual observation the bridge panels, which were interlinked by a seal had been slightly moved and water slipped inside causing a landslide and eventually collapsed due to soaked soil.
Mr Moepeng said there were no structural defects, but was worried that the other side of the bridge openings in the panels were visible.
He said the project’s defects liability period elapsed in 2020 and they were going to engage a contractor to repair the damage.
The Boatle interchange project is the second of its kind to be constructed in Botswana after the one in Francistown, fondly known as Spaghetti.
The project, which was fully funded by government, was worth over P1 billion and also included the construction of two bridges over the Tloane and Metsimaswaane rivers. It included the upgrade of the 18.4km road to dual carriageway standard, drainage works on the roads, construction of pedestrian and cattle underpasses and installation of street lights.
ENDS