Heavy Trucks Banned From Kapuri Bridge After Cracks Found

(LUBA PAYAM, JUBA COUNTY) – All heavy vehicles have been banned from crossing Kapuri Bridge west of Juba City after a technical inspection found serious cracks in the main support beams.

The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Roads and Bridges, Eng. Gabriel Makur Amour, issued the order on Wednesday. The restriction sets a maximum vehicle weight of five tonnes on the bridge, which sits along the Juba-Luri-Mundri road corridor.

Under the new rules, only light vehicles may cross. All heavy trucks, commercial transport vehicles and construction machinery are barred until further notice.

The order follows a visit to the bridge on Tuesday by Eng. Makur Amour, who inspected damage to the structure. He said the technical assessment revealed reduced load bearing capacity and a risk of partial or progressive failure.

“There are cracks in the principal beams of the bridge,” he told reporters during the site visit. He said the Ministry is working closely with a contractor to open an alternative route so that repair work can begin.

Bridge engineer George Duku Aggrey urged all users of Kapuri Bridge to follow the Ministry’s instructions. He said this would allow engineers to work on a permanent solution.

The Ministry has directed the Directorate of Roads and Bridges to work with traffic police and security agencies. They must install signs showing the five tonne limit on all approaches to the bridge and set up control points to stop overloaded vehicles. Transport operators and businesses are advised to use other suitable routes or make logistical plans for moving heavy goods.

The Ministry also stated that it will speed up work on a new concrete bridge and a temporary bypass with a proper culvert crossing to maintain traffic flow during construction.

The ban will stay in place until a full structural assessment confirms the bridge is safe for normal loads. Anyone who violates the order will face legal and administrative measures under South Sudan’s road use and public safety laws, according to a circular released this week by the Ministry.