Construction work has officially commenced on the long-troubled Mile 4 Bridge in Nkwen, bringing renewed hope to commuters and residents who have endured years of flooding and disruption.
During a visit to the site on Tuesday 28, the Hilltopvoices team observed heavy-duty machinery parked near the bridge following the clearing of the waterway. Large stones have also been deposited on the downstream side of the bridge, suggesting the construction of a temporary bypass or deviation that will allow vehicles and pedestrians to continue using the route while the main bridge undergoes reconstruction.
For years, the Mile 4 Bridge has been a major infrastructural weakness, particularly during the rainy season when the Nkie-Mufeh stream frequently overflows, submerging the bridge and cutting off access between Mile 3 and Mile 4. Each year, businesses suffer losses, schoolchildren struggle to get to home, and motorists are forced to find alternative routes, often at great inconvenience.
Last week, Hilltopvoices reported that Mayor Fongu Cletus Tanwe had visited the site alongside a team of engineers, believed to be from Edge, to oversee the installation of the contractor. While details regarding the project’s budget and completion timeline remain unclear, the commencement of work suggests a serious commitment to resolving the longstanding issue.
With the rainy season in Cameroon’s North West Region expected to begin in March, there is mounting pressure to complete significant portions of the project before heavy rains arrive. If the reconstruction is not well underway by then, seasonal floods could once again halt progress, compounding the challenges faced by commuters.
"This is long overdue. Every rainy season, we brace ourselves for the worst, so it is good to see that something is finally being done. Now, we just hope they work quickly before the rains start." remarked Tamin Emmanuel, a taxi driver who frequently uses the bridge.
The clearing of the waterway and the likely construction of a bypass suggest a well-planned approach, but many questions remain. Residents are eager to know whether the new bridge will be built to modern standards, whether additional drainage systems will be put in place to prevent future flooding, and how long the construction will take.
Despite these uncertainties, the presence of engineers and construction equipment at the site is a welcome sight. After years of temporary fixes and unfulfilled promises, the people of Nkwen and beyond are hopeful that this time, a lasting solution is finally within reach.
As work progresses, the community watches closely, hoping that by the next rainy season, the Mile 4 Bridge will no longer be a site of distress but an indicator to real progress and improved infrastructure in Bamenda.
By Bakah Derick
Email: hilltopvoicesnewspaper@gmail.com
Tel: 6 94 71 85 77
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