Yaza Demands Urgent Bridge Joint Maintenance from Minister of Public Works to Prevent Fatal Accidents

The "Yaza" association directed an urgent appeal to the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Fayez Rasamny, and all relevant parties for the maintenance of iron bridge expansion joints, stating in a press release:

"The condition of iron expansion joints on international roads constitutes a source of fatal traffic collisions, especially for motorcycles. The Yaza Association appeals to the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Fayez Rasamny, and all concerned parties regarding the necessity of their maintenance as quickly as possible. Bridge users in Lebanon suffer from significant delays in this maintenance, where the width of gaps exceeds 40 cm in many cases, posing a major threat to public safety.

These joints are fundamental to bridge structures and must be replaced periodically every 12 to 15 years. Citizens face daily death risks on bridges lacking basic safety standards, as they are exposed to the danger of car and motorcycle tires falling into eroded gaps, causing vehicle damage and breakdowns, structural deformation, and even deviation from the path or overturning in cases of excessive speed. This is in addition to the risk of gravel and other solid materials falling onto pedestrians and cars under the bridge.

This appeal comes within the framework of the extensive campaign launched by the Yaza Association to raise awareness about road dangers in Lebanon, which has proven effective in mobilizing public opinion and pressuring authorities to act, as seen in the case of stolen manhole covers. We hope that human safety will be prioritized in our country, which has been exhausted by theft and mismanagement."