- Project funded by Japanese grant of US$26.9m
The construction work on Phase 2 of the improvement of Tema Motorway Roundabout project, being funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) at a cost of about US$26.9million, has started.
The project, which is to provide a third tier on the existing two-tier interchange, among others, is expected to significantly improve traffic flows around the Tema Motorway Roundabout while boosting the movement of shipments into and outside the country.
Also, it is earmarked to be completed within 30 months, by December 2024, and has been awarded to a Japanese firm, JFE Engineering Corporation, with the Ministry of Roads and Highways (MRH) and Ghana Highways Authority (GHA) being the implementing agencies.
The scope of construction work will include the provision of 3 SPAN Continuous Composite Steel I- Girder Bridge length – 142m, steel-concrete composite slab – 2,820m2, steel box section frame pier – 2 number.
It will also include the total length of bridge and ramps and ancillary road works of 1.8km, while existing traffic lights on the second tier will be re-designed.
At the ground-breaking ceremony to commence construction work, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia said the project now brings to 12 the total number of interchanges government has either completed or is working on.
He said as part of measures to improve traffic flow between Tema and Accra, the Accra-Tema Motorway will be upgraded into a ten-lane facility.
Phase 1 of the project will be between Tema Roundabout and the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange.
The work will include a four-lane expressway, three-lane service roads on either side, construction of Lashibi, Community 18 and Teshie Link Interchanges, and remodelling of the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange.
According to the Vice President, financing arrangements are being finalied for the work.
Furthermore, he noted that government is also undertaking several critical roadworks within the Greater Accra Region.
Dr. Bawumia entreated the Ministry of Roads and Highways – and the consultant as well as the contractor – to ensure that adequate traffic management measures are put in place.
This is hoped to reduce inconvenience that the work will bring to the travelling public and residents during construction of the project.
The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Attah – also speaking at the ceremony, noted that the second phase of the project is independent of Phase 1. But he added that the two phases complement each other.
He assured that the Ministry of Roads and Highways will ensure the work is carried out to set specifications and standards.
Meanwhile, the minister appealed for residents and motorists to bear with contractors during the construction period.
The Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, Mochizuki Hisanobu, said he is hopeful completion of the project will open-up Tema Harbour to other parts of the country and expand economic opportunities.
He noted that Japan has been supporting government’s agenda for road infrastructure development through various projects.
The Ambassador also acknowledged that bilateral cooperation between the two countries has seen the actualisation of various key technical support and infrastructure development over the years.
