By: Emmanuel Mandella
The Government of South Sudan has taken a major step towards preserving its road infrastructure by installing a state-of-the-art weighbridge at Djeri along the Nimule Road. This initiative, spearheaded by the National Ministry of Roads and Bridges, aims to curb the damage caused by overloaded commercial trucks and ensure safer highways.
On Wednesday, a team from the ministry assessed the weighbridge’s capacity and functionality, signaling progress in the project. The facility, installed by GS Construction Company, is designed to regulate and monitor heavy commercial vehicles to ensure compliance with load limits, which will protect the highway and generate revenue for its maintenance.
The Nimule weighbridge operates using a dual-component system. Explaining the technology, Engineer Charles Ohisa Aalam, the project manager for the facility, said:
“The weighbridge has two components: a high-speed wind sensor and a static system. The high-speed wind sensor gives an initial estimate of the load, indicating whether a vehicle is compliant or overloaded. A green arrow on the digital screen shows compliance, while a red signal identifies suspected overloading.”
The static system provides precise measurements to ensure accuracy in load assessment. This technology not only promotes road safety but also aligns with regional weighbridge management standards, fostering uniformity across East Africa.
According to GS Construction’s engineering manager, Mr. Fisseha Wagaw, the weighbridge project is almost complete.
“The Nimule weighbridge is 99% finished. We are currently conducting final tests on the deck and system. By the end of this week, we expect to finalize all remaining issues,” he stated.
The facility is part of a broader government initiative to modernize South Sudan’s road infrastructure and prevent recurring highway damage caused by overloaded trucks. Additionally, testing of the nearby Lingley Road bridge is underway, with a final inspection scheduled before its official commissioning.
This initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure management. By ensuring heavy commercial vehicles adhere to legal load limits, the weighbridge is expected to reduce road repair costs and enhance the safety of road users.
The Ministry of Roads and Bridges emphasized the importance of this development, stating that the weighbridge represents a significant milestone in protecting South Sudan’s highways and fostering regional cooperation in road maintenance.
The new weighbridge is set to play a critical role in safeguarding one of the nation’s key transportation corridors, easing transportation of goods and services.