Visible structural damage at the Mallam Interchange in Accra has sparked fresh concerns about the safety of one of the capital’s busiest road networks.
Recent photographs taken beneath the flyover show severe deterioration at the beam-column junction, a critical section that supports the bridge. The images reveal broken concrete, exposed steel reinforcement bars and a deep crack extending from the damaged beam into the supporting column.
The defects have renewed calls for an urgent structural assessment and immediate repair works.
Engineers Warn of Serious Structural Damage
Structural engineers say the damage goes beyond routine wear and tear.
The photographs show significant concrete spalling, where pieces of concrete have broken away and left the steel reinforcement exposed. Without the protective concrete cover, the steel becomes vulnerable to moisture, carbon dioxide and Accra’s salt-laden coastal air.
As a result, corrosion can develop more rapidly. The expanding rust then causes more cracks and further concrete failure, creating a cycle of deterioration that weakens the structure over time.
In addition, the damage is located at the beam-column junction, one of the most important load-bearing sections of the flyover. Engineers consider defects at this point a serious structural concern because it is where the bridge transfers weight to its supporting columns.
Critical Transport Link
The Mallam Interchange forms part of the George Walker Bush Highway, a six-lane, 14-kilometre road corridor funded through the United States Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).
The interchange was completed in 2012. Since then, maintenance has been the responsibility of the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) after funding transitioned from the Millennium Challenge Corporation to the Government of Ghana.
Over the years, the interchange has experienced maintenance challenges. Previous inspections identified exposed expansion joints and missing bolts, prompting the GHA and the Ministry of Roads and Highways to propose rehabilitation works.
However, the newly observed damage appears to be more severe than the earlier reported defects.
Calls for Immediate Action
Residents living near the interchange have previously expressed concerns about safety, citing past incidents involving vehicles falling from sections of the structure.
The latest findings have heightened those concerns, with engineers stressing that the visible damage requires urgent professional attention.
They are calling on the Ghana Highway Authority and the Ministry of Roads and Highways to commission an independent structural assessment immediately. They also want the findings made public and any necessary repair works carried out without delay.
Public Safety at Stake
Thousands of motorists, traders and pedestrians use the Mallam Interchange every day.
Experts warn that delaying repairs could increase safety risks if the deterioration continues unchecked. They argue that early intervention is essential to preserve the bridge’s structural integrity and prevent more extensive damage in the future.
The visible defects have renewed calls for sustained investment in bridge inspections and maintenance to ensure the long-term safety of Ghana’s road infrastructure.
