Sonitra to rehabilitate roads in Tema, Sekondi-T'di

THE Ghana government and SONITRA yesterday signed a contract for the construction and rehabilitation of roads in Tema and Sekondi-Takoradi at the cost of 17.3 million Euros.

The Minister of Roads and Transport, Dr Richard Anane, signed for the government whilst Mr Jean Claude Kalfa initialled for his company.

In Tema , the project involves the construction of an overpass on the Accra Tema motorway, the reconstruction of the 1.8-kilometre Manhean road as well as the reconstruction of the 1.3-kilometre Ashiaman road.

In the case of Sekondi-Takoradi, a 6 kilometre Inchaban road and a 4.6 kilometre Adiembra road will also be reconstructed.

The Tema-Ashiaman and Sekondi-Takoradi roads is being funded by the Groupe Agence de Developpement (AFD) of France while that of the Africana or the Harbour road is funded by the government and due to be completed by the middle of next month.

The projects are expected to be completed between a period of 18 months.

Dr Anane explained that the Accra -Tema Motorway comprise an 18 metre wide bridge with an overall span of 61 metres. He said the reconstruction of the Inchaban road will give a new access and a surfaced parking area to the fish market while that of Adiembra will afford the replacement of the existing road -over-rail- bridge.

The minister further stated that all the roads will have single carriage ways of two lanes with each lane having 3.65-metre wide of asphaltic concrete surfacing and a 2-metre pedestrian walkways where needed.

Additionally, he said covered concrete U-drains will be constructed on one or both sides and street lights will also be provided on all the roads.

Dr Anane who has declared this year as a “Super fast Track Year” in the history of the ministry, urged SONITRA to start work as soon as possible so that the rains do not disrupt the construction project.

Mr Kalfa on the other hand promised to complete the projects within 16 months and that SONITRA has already mobilised its men to start work on the construction of the roads and what is left is for the company’s engineer to inspect the sites.