President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has cut the sod for the construction of the GH¢193 million Dome-Kitase road project, which serves as a vital link between the Greater Accra and Eastern Regions.
He tasked the contractor, M/S First Sky Construction Ltd, one of the best road construction companies in the country to complete the project within 24 months and on budget.
Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony on Friday, the President noted that the construction of this road has been the subject of promises made by various political parties and successive governments over the years, which he is now executing.
“I am happy that it is under the Presidency of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo that the rehabilitation of the Dome to Kitase Road is finally being undertaken,” he pointed out.
The rehabilitation of the road is being funded by the Government of Ghana and the Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) at an estimated cost of $35 million (GH¢192,932,197.00).
Project scope
The scope of work on the Dome-Kitase road project includes the provision of a 16.3km single carriageway way with asphaltic concrete surfacing, a 2.85km dual carriageway, a one-kilometre two-lane single carriageway for Ashesi University, the provision of 1.45km three-lane single carriageway with auxiliary lanes for drop off/pick up on both sides, and a 1.9km two-lane carriageway link.
Road furniture, including street lighting, signs, markings and guard rails would be provided.
The project will also provide traffic control systems, concrete curbs and pedestrian walkways, drainage structures, ducts for future utility line crossings and relocation of affected utility lines.
The road provides the shortest connection between the Accra-Kumasi Road (N6) at Pokuase and the Accra-Aburi-Koforidua road (N4) at Kitase.
Major settlements along the route are Dome, Kwabenya, Ayim, Brekusu, Agyementi and Kitase.
It provides critical access to schools, health facilities and estate housing.
Govt agenda
The 23-kilometre stretch of road connects the Accra to Kumasi road to the Accra-Aburi-Koforidua road, and provides an alternate route to road users between Accra and Aburi.
President Akufo-Addo noted that the Dome-Kitase project and many other road projects across the country are in line with Government’s agenda to provide good, quality road infrastructure to help accelerate the socio-economic development of our country.
Other projects
The President indicated that some of the road projects completed throughout the country his presidency includes the construction of one hundred kilometres of roads and auxiliary infrastructure under the Kumasi Inner Ring Road and adjacent streets project.
Under this project, roads in Nyhiaeso, Bantama, Oforikrom, Manhyia, Subin, Tafo Pankrono, Asokwa, Suame and Kwadaso have been constructed.
Other road projects include the construction of 22 kilometres of Cape Coast inner city roads under the Sino Hydro Project; the construction of 10 kilometres of Prestea and Heman inner city roads under the Sinohydro Project.
The rest are the completion of the 56.4km Jasikan-Dodo-Pepesu Road on the Eastern Corridor, constructed under the Sinohydro Project; and the 21-kilometre Agona Swedru to Bawjiase Road, which has been substantially completed by M/S China Railway Wuju.
In addition to these, the President stated that work is ongoing on the second 100-kilometre Kumasi inner city roads project, which is being undertaken by M/S Sinohydro, and is currently 10 percent (10%) complete.
The dualisation of Tema- Aflao Road, including the construction of interchanges at Kpone, Savana, Dawhenya and Prampram, is also ongoing.
The widening of the Beach Road, from Independence Square to Tema, is also ongoing. Lot 1 of this project involves the expansion of the Beach Road from Independence Square to Nungua, and is 38% complete.
Lot 2, which is the widening of the Beach Road between Nungua and Tema, including the construction of a three-tier interchange at Nungua, is 60% complete.
The upgrading of the 15.4-kilometre Ofankor to Nsawam Road into a 10-lane facility, including the erection of interchanges at Amasaman, Pobiman, Medie and Nsawam, has just commenced.
“Asphaltic overlay works throughout the country are also ongoing. One thousand and five kilometres (1,005kms) were completed between 2017 and 2020, and seven hundred and thirty-nine kilometres (739kms) of asphaltic overlay have been completed between 2021 and now. Government’s target of constructing, in this second term, one thousand, five hundred kilometres (1,500kms) of asphalt overlay works is very much on course,” he said.
The President urged the Ministry of Roads and Highways to put in place the necessary traffic management measures to reduce any inconvenience to the public during the construction period.
Compensation
In brief remarks, Minister for Roads and Highways Mr. Kwasi Amoako-Atta indicated that adequate provision has been made by his ministry to compensate all persons who may be affected or displaced by the road project.
His ministry, he added, is going to keep an eagle eye on the project to ensure that it is constructed to specification and within the contract duration of 24 months.
