The good news for motorists using the road between Rehoboth and Windhoek is that the Minister of Works and Transport, Veikko Nekundi, today officially put into use the newly constructed detour road around the bridge, which collapsed last month.

Rain damaged the decades-old bridge, necessitating the rapid construction of the two-way detour road.

The detour was constructed after the B1 highway suffered extensive structural damage a little over a month ago due to heavy rains and flooded rivers.

The force of the floodwaters severely compromised the bridge, which is approximately 30 kilometres south of Windhoek.

Nekundi expressed satisfaction with the completion of the new bypass within the anticipated one-month timeframe.

"We are very much happy, and as I have informed the citizen when this bridge collapsed, it will take us plus or minus a month for us to construct permanently the bypass, so within the timeframe as we have anticipated, we are almost into the month, so the road is now open."

To ensure the new bridge meets long-term infrastructure standards, the remains of the previous structure were completely demolished.

"We have resumed a process to completely destroy the collapsed bridge in order for us to reconstruct a new bridge that will be constructed into a dual carriage, both ways."

The newly constructed bypass allows for uninterrupted travel between Windhoek and Rehoboth in both directions, significantly improving traffic flow and safety along the route.

The project cost the government approximately N$16.4 million and is regarded as a successful emergency response to restore mobility between Windhoek and the southern regions.

The ministry has assured the public that the bypass meets all quality and safety requirements.