09 Nov 2022

The Ministry of Transport and Public Works plans to make a detailed assessment of the Boatle Bridge embankment following its collapse on Tuesday.

Mr Isaac Moepeng, the ministry’s  deputy permanent secretary, said his office was yet to consult with all relevant stakeholders in order to provide a detailed report on the cause of the mishap at Boatle interchange.

The deputy permanent secretary said his office received a report following Monday’s heavy showers to the effect that one side of the bridge embankment had collapsed.

Although a detailed investigation had not been conducted, Mr Moepeng said visual observation indicated that the bridge panels, which were interlinked by a seal, had slightly moved thereby allowing water to seep in.

The saturated soil caused a landslide and eventual collapse of the embankment, he explained. 

Mr Moepeng said there were no structural defects but expressed worry that displacement of panels was visible on the other side of the bridge.

He said the project’s defects liability period elapsed in 2020 therefore a contractor would have to be engaged 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.

Fully funded by government to the tune of approximately P1 billion,  the project  included construction of two bridges over the Tloane and Metsimaswaane rivers, upgrading of the 18.4km road to dual carriageway, drainage works, construction of pedestrian and cattle underpasses as well as installation of street lights. Ends