Community seeks clarity on the Rooi Afo bridge that has been closed for a year**
On February 11, 2026, it will mark exactly one year since the Rooi Afo bridge was closed to traffic. Since February 11, 2025, the road over the Rooi Afo dam has been closed, and until today, residents and users have received no information on when repair works will begin or when the bridge will reopen.
This situation has caused significant frustration and inconvenience for the residents of Rooi Afo, as the prolonged closure of the bridge affects accessibility, traffic safety, daily mobility, and also economic activity in the area.
For this reason, Member of Parliament Xiomara Maduro submitted several official questions to Minister Herde of Infrastructure, with the aim of obtaining clarity and a concrete plan to properly inform residents and the community.
In her official questions, she asked the ministry for clarity on the following points:
- How long does the government plan to take to repair the Rooi Afo bridge/dam?
- What deadline or date can the ministry provide for reopening the road to normal traffic?
- What specific works will be carried out to fix the infrastructure (such as structural reinforcement, foundation repairs, drainage improvements, asphalt, guardrails, etc.)?
- Why has the repair process taken so long, considering that this is an important connection for the neighborhood?
- What temporary measures has the government taken or will it take to reduce inconvenience and risk for residents and traffic while the bridge remains closed?
MP Maduro hopes that Minister Herde can respond soon and present a concrete action plan with a realistic timeline, so that the Rooi Afo community knows where things stand and what to expect in the coming period.
“One year with an important route closed, without a visible plan and without communication, puts the neighborhood in a difficult position,” said MP Xiomara Maduro.
The call from the community is simple: clarity, action, and a solution to a problem that has already lasted far too long.
