President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo yesterday commissioned phase one of the Obetsebi-Lamptey Interchange Project, which has been completed five months ahead of schedule and is now open for use by motorists.
“The Completion of the Phase 1 of the Obetsebi-Lamptey Interchange shows the seriousness that my Government attaches towards addressing the congestion within some of the major cities of our country”, President Akufo-Addo stated.
The completion of Phase One will enable the Contractor, M/S Queiroz Galvao-UK International, to begin work on Phase Two.
Commissioning the interchange, President Akufo-Addo announced that the Pokuase Interchange, which is the first four tier interchange in West Africa, is 85% complete and that sections of the interchange will be opened to traffic this week.
“The Ministry of Roads and Highways, through the Department of Urban Roads, is reviewing proposals to address the congestion challenges on the Kaneshie-Mallam Highway.
“This is necessary to reduce the discomfort that commuters go through around the Kaneshie Market area, First Light intersection, and the Sakaman–Mallam section of the road,” the President said.
He encouraged the Ministry of Roads and Highways to take a closer look at the corridor as a major public transport one, and put in the necessary infrastructure for a future Bus Rapid Transit system that Government intends to develop along the route.
“With Phase Two about to commence, I appeal to all, motorists, residents and business owners, to co-operate with the Contractor and the Department of Urban Roads to help ensure that, just like Phase One, this Phase will also be completed ahead of schedule,” President Akufo-Addo added.
The Tamale Interchange, which is also the first interchange in northern Ghana, he added, is 54% complete, and is on course to be completed by the first quarter of 2021.
President Akufo-Addo further indicated that the PTC Roundabout Interchange in Takoradi, which is the first interchange in the western part of the country, is progressing steadily.
Additionally, the work on the Nungua Interchange, which is part of the La Beach Road Completion Project, is also progressing as scheduled.
President Akufo-Addo also announced that having already commissioned Phase One of the Tema Motorway, work on the second phase is scheduled to commence soon.
“This is the first time in the nation’s history that more than five (5) interchanges are being constructed within the first term of any Government. So, if any more reasons to give Nana and the NPP four more to do more for you, this is one of them,” he added.
In addition to the construction of these interchanges, Government, through the Ministry of Roads and Highways, according to the President, is undertaking critical road projects to improve urban mobility in the country.
These include the completion of over 1,000 kilometres of asphalt overlay works throughout the country; the construction of the Teshie Link, popularly referred to as the LEKMA Road, is 90% complete; the construction of Tema Steelworks road, the only concrete road to be constructed by Government after the Accra-Tema Motorway, is 90% complete.
According to President Akufo-Addo, the Kumasi Roads and Drainage Extension Project, which includes the dualisation of the Lake Road and lining of the Sissai River Drain in Kumasi, stands at 64% complete.
