Ghanaian Times: Opening of Tema Motorway Interchange; relief to commuters

Commuters on the Tema Motorway have heaved a sigh of relief as the interchange on that road has been opened for traffic, today.

This follows the completion of the $55.6 million Japanese International Cooperation Agency funded project, involving the construction of a 2.1 kilometre three-lane dual carriage with 730-metre underpass and improvement of a 1.9 kilometre two-lane dual carriage from Ashaiman roundabout to the Tema Harbour.

We understand the opening of the interchange for traffic would allow the contractors to study the traffic flow and fix any challenge that might result, before the official inauguration on June 6, this year.

The project is an integral part of the Trans-Africa Highway, stretching from Lagos, Nigeria, through Lome, capital of Togo, Accra, Ghana, and Abidjan, capital of La Cote d’Iviore, to Senegal, Dakar, which effectively serves as the main junction to the West Africa sub-region.

Certainly, the completion of the project is a game-changer in the lives of not only Ghanaians, but the generality of the citizens of the Economic Community of West African State.

Indeed, Ghana is the gateway to the sub-region, and it is the expectation that the interchange will facilitate movement of goods and services in the region, and boost efforts toward regional integration for sustainable development.

Additional, the project is a boost to infrastructural development as Ghana is preparing to host the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat.

Prior to the construction of the interchange, the Tema Motorway roundabout was characterised by heavy congestion, especially during rush hours, as commuters and hauliers had to endure many hours of traffic jam, resulting in huge man-hour lost to productivity.

With the free-flow of traffic at the interchange, workers at the country’s busy industrial hub, can get to their work place early and in addition perishable commodities can easily be transported from the farm gates to the Tema port for export.

Ghanaian Times wishes to commend the Ghana/Japan bilateral relation for the project grant. We believe the monumental project will cement the existing bond of friendship between Ghana and Japan, and open more opportunities for international development assistance to Ghana.

We also commend the contractors, the consultants and the workers for working around the clock to ensure timely delivery of the project.

The construction of this iconic project would not have been possible without the cooperation of commuters along the corridor. We urge them to continue to cooperate with the contractors by strictly adhering to road safety regulations and signage put in place to ensure smooth flow of traffic.

As the adage goes, one good turn deserve another, we owe it a duty to protect and safeguard this monumental project through care and maintenance, to ensure the longevity of the interchange for us to reap maximum benefit.

Ghanaian Times calls for 24-hour security detail at the interchange to ward off miscreants who may tamper with the installations.

We are proud as a nation for this day. Drivers are urged to drive with care, and let us maintain the interchange for generations after us.