The Bauchi State Government has embarked on the construction of an alternative link road between the North-East and North-West regions of the country.
The road is to be constructed within the state to cushion the effects of the devastating floods that washed away major highway bridges in the state.
The state, one of the worst hit by floods during the past year’s rainy season, saw its critical road networks cut off, threatening the economy of the two regions.
The flagged construction of an over 24-kilometre road is to connect communities and serve as an alternative route.
Speaking on Sunday during a media tour of the project site, the Project Manager of Habibu Engineering Company, Waelyanes Ali, disclosed that the project, which is 90 per cent completed, was a major engineering challenge due to swampy terrain.
“This road stretches 24.5 kilometres, with about five kilometres passing through swamp areas. We constructed three major bridges measuring 225 metres, 160 metres and 145 metres.
“We also built retaining walls between one and four metres high, alongside several box culverts of different sizes.
“By October, Insha Allah, this project will be completed. The road is 7.3 metres wide with 1.5-metre shoulders on each side. Despite the challenges, we are proud of the progress made,” Ali said.
Also speaking, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Usman Muhammad, said the road would not only link Itas and Gadau communities but also serve as a strategic route for motorists travelling between the North-East, North-West and North-Central regions.
“Even if you hate His Excellency, Governor Bala Mohammed, you must appreciate him for this wonderful project.
“Whenever the Kano–Maiduguri highway is cut off by floods, motorists divert through this route. It links major cities such as Azare, Hadeja in Jigawa and even connects to Yobe.
“This project is not only easing transportation but also boosting agriculture. In the dry season, people farm extensively here. With this road, they can now transport their produce to markets easily.
“Since the First Republic, this road had been abandoned because of the cost and difficulty of construction, but Governor Mohammed has delivered it,” Muhammad said.
He assured that the project would be completed soon and serve as a reliable alternative for motorists across the North-East and beyond.
