Work begins on Tetteh-Quarshie-Madina road

Accra, Sept. 12, GNA 96 President John Agyekum Kufuor on Tuesday cut the sod for work to commence on the 43 million-dollar Tetteh-Quarshie-Madina road project with a directive to the Ministry of Road Transport and the law enforcement agencies to ensure strict observance of the axle load limit imposed on haulage trucks.

He said there must be scrupulous observance of the 11.5 tonne axle load limit imposed on haulage trucks within the context of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to preserve the lifespan of the country's road infrastructure, particularly, the transit routes to the neighbouring countries.

'This is the only way to ensure that the spate of accidents, even on our newer roads, will be curtailed,' he said.

The Project entails the reconstruction of a 4.6 kilometre three-lane dual carriageway with two interchanges at the University of Ghana and the Kwabenya Atomic Junction, the construction of two pedestrian sub-ways and installation of streetlights.

The Ghana Government is providing the funding and is scheduled for completion within 30 months.

President Kufuor told the contractors, Messrs Sonitra and the various technical consultants involved with the project to fully stick to the requisite implementation time, standards and specifications. The contractors, he said, should make sure that there was an effective and efficient traffic management scheme during the construction period.

Additionally, they should provide adequate warning signals at places where trenches had been dug as well as the reduction of dust pollution.

President Kufuor said it was his hope that the successful completion of that segment of the road would not only significantly reduce travelling time from the University of Ghana, Madina, Adenta and beyond and enhance the comfort of road users but also contribute to the beauty of that prime corridor.

The single carriageway from Tetteh-Quarshie to Madina, which is the main arterial to the eastern part of Accra, has exceeded its capacity to cope with the high traffic, estimated at 30,000 vehicles a day. President Kufuor said the Government believed that without the development of an efficient transport infrastructure, no meaningful progress could be made in its efforts to reduce poverty and improve living standards.

It was for this reason that an amount of 4.5 trillion cedis, which translates into about a third of the total investment budget for the year, was allocated to this sector.

Dr Richard Anane, Minister of Road Transport, appealed to motorists, the local inhabitants and other stakeholders to exercise care and restraint and to follow safety measures that would be put in place during the construction period.

He said the necessary environmental, safety and traffic management measures would be taken to minimize the expected inconveniences to motorists and the general public.

In a welcoming address, Sheikh Ibrahim Cudjoe Quaye, Greater Accra Regional Minister, said some recent landmark interventions by the Government, including the national launch of the 547 million dollar Millennium Challenge Account and the 50 million dollar Micro Credit Fund and Small Loans Scheme, showed that it was on course with its national development agenda.