Significant traffic disruptions are expected today on National Route 4 (RN4), which connects Mahajanga to Antananarivo.
A road closure is scheduled at PK 520+750, specifically at the Bailey metal bridge located in the Berivotra fokontany, within the rural commune of Tanambao Andranolava, Marovoay district.
Vehicle traffic will be suspended from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM today. This suspension is part of ongoing maintenance works conducted by the Ministry of Public Works.
According to a statement released by the Ministry online, no detours are planned. This means that traffic for taxi-brousses (bush taxis), including those from national and regional cooperatives, as well as private vehicles, will be disrupted throughout the morning.
The journey from the city of Mahajanga requires at least two hours. Departure times have been adjusted, with vehicles originally scheduled to leave at 6:00 AM now departing two hours earlier. “We moved our departure to 4:00 AM. Usually, we leave at 6:30 AM,” explained an official from the transport company Malagasycar Première Classe yesterday.
The decision to close the road surprised most users, including national cooperatives. “The notice was published late on social media, around noon yesterday. The Ministry should find better ways to inform users quickly, at least 48 hours in advance. We had to notify all our passengers individually. Moving departures to 4:00 AM meant they had to wake up around 3:00 AM,” criticized a cooperative manager.
These road infrastructures, including the metal bridges along the RN4, are in a state of disrepair due to a lack of periodic maintenance. This led to the collapse of a walkway on June 7 at PK 505 in Mangapaika, when a heavy truck transporting construction materials was passing through.
The installation of a temporary bridge is currently underway on this section of the RN4. The Emergency Support Directorate (DAU) within the Ministry and the Boeny Regional Directorate of Transport are in charge of the site.
The assembly and installation of the bridge components are proceeding as planned. The goal is to restore normal traffic on the RN4 as soon as possible. The priority remains ensuring that road users can travel safely and with peace of mind along this strategic route connecting Antananarivo and Mahajanga.
Vero Andrianarisoa
Captured & Published at: 2026-06-18 19:00:04 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/06/circulation-des-travaux-dentretien.html