Construction works are currently underway on the new BB Hotel Bridge, also known as the Kotu Bridge, a project expected to significantly improve access to nearby hotels, markets and surrounding communities.
The project is being executed by Longjian Road & Bridge Company, with supervision provided by the National Roads Authority (NRA).
Engineers at the site explained that the new bridge is being constructed along an alternative alignment rather than on the existing route of the old bridge. As part of the ongoing works, the contractor has already built an embankment and installed pipe culverts to allow water to flow through the channel while construction activities continue.
“The water is not actually blocked; pipe culverts have been installed so that the water can flow across the channel while we excavate the pile foundation, which is a deep foundation,” explained Ousainou Ceesay.
He added that the engineering team is currently undertaking excavation works for the pile foundation after preparing reinforcing bars for the foundation and beams. The team is drilling using an auger and dredging out excess material as part of the foundation process, noting that the excavated material is carefully managed and not disposed of into the stream.
The project, which has a duration of six months, is expected upon completion to improve access for several hotels around the Kotu and Fajara areas, thereby supporting tourism, commerce and other related economic and social activities.
