By Frank Amponsah
President Akufo-Addo says he is committed to addressing traffic congestion challenges in Accra as well as all other major cities in the country.
The President reiterated this commitment of his administration when he addressed a brief commissioning ceremony of phase one of the Obetsebi Lamptey interchange at Abossey Okai in the Ablekuma Central Constituency, as part of day one of his two-day campaign tour of the Greater Accra Region ahead of the 7th December 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
“The completion of phase one will enable the contractor to begin work on phase two immediately after this commission ceremony. Today event is further testimony to government’s determination to the issue. The completion of phase one of the Obetsebi Lamptey interchange shows the seriousness that my government attaches towards addressing the congestion in some of the major cities of our country,” President Akufo-Addo said.
*Ongoing Interchange Constructions*
President Akufo-Addo observed that currently, the following interchanges are under construction in the country; “Pokuase interchange which is the first four tier interchange in West Africa, is 85% complete and section of it will be opened to traffic this very week, Tamale interchange which is the first interchange in Northern Ghana is 54% complete and is on course to be completed by the first quarter of 2012, PTC roundabout interchange in Takoradi which is the first interchange in the Western part of the country is progressing steadily, Nungua interchange which is part of the La Beach road completion project is also progressing steadily and Tema motorway interchange phase one which has been completed and is already in use by motorists with work on the second phase of the interchange starting soon”.
“This is the first time in our nation’s history that more than five (5) interchanges are being constructed within the first term of any government. So if there is any reason to give Nana four more to do more for you, this is one of them” President Akufo-Addo stated.
*Phase Two of the Project*
With Phase two of the project set to start almost immediately, President Akufo-Addo urged road users, traders and residents of the Ablekuma Central Constituency and indeed all road users in the region, to bear with the contractors to ensure that the next phase is also completed ahead of schedule just like the first phase was completed five clear months ahead of the scheduled completion date.
*Greater Accra Campaign Tour*
President Akufo-Addo has commenced a two-day campaign tour of the Greater Accra Region today, Tuesday, the 24th to Wednesday the 25th of November 2020.
The President as part of his tour today will also visit the Kaneshie Market in the Okaiwei South Constituency to interact with traders and drivers at the popular market in Accra. The President will proceed to the Kokompe Market also in the Okaiwei South Constituency to interact with spare parts dealers who ply their trade in the area.
President Akufo-Addo after this will proceed to the Abeka market in the Okaikwei Central Constituency to engage traders, drivers and other constituents.
In the Anyaa Sowutoum Constituency, the President will whistle stop at the Anyaa market and address the market folks and also interact with Chiefs, identifiable groups and residents of Santa Maria. In the Trobu Constituency which will be the next stop of the President, he will interact with Chiefs, identifiable groups as well.
The last part of the President’s day one of the two day campaign tour in the Greater Accra Region will take him to the Amasaman Constituency. At Amasaman, the President will interact with identifiable groups and the residents of the area. At Kotoku, the President will interact with Chiefs, identifiable groups and attend a durbar of Zongo Chiefs, identifiable groups and residents at Oduman a surbur in the Amasaman Constituency to the day.
*Background*
The Obetsebi Lamptey Circle is a key intersection in the arterial road network in Accra. It is part of the Ring Road system and located at the intersection of four major arterials: the Kaneshie Mallam Road (Dr. Kofi Busia Highway), the Ring Road West, Ring Road West Extension and the Graphic Road.
As part of the Ministry of Roads and Highways’ strategies to address urban congestion, there are programmes by the Department of Urban Roads to upgrade congested intersections into grade separated ones (interchanges) in all major cities throughout the country. Under this programme, the Obetsebi Lamptey Roundabout is to be developed into a three tier interchange to reduce congestion being experienced by commuters. This was also necessitated by the huge vehicular volumes approaching the roundabout due to the construction of the Ring Road Flyover.
The project commenced in October 2019 with a sod cutting ceremony for completion in 18 calendar months. The works have been completed 5 months ahead of schedule. Phase I involved the construction of a 550m viaduct and ramps between Graphic Road and Dr. Busia Highway (Kaneshie Mallam Road). Under the project, a 2 No. (5.5 x 2) m box culvert across the Graphic Road and storm drain of similar size was constructed up to the Ring Road West Carriageway. This storm drain shall be continued up to Mpamprom Junction under Phase II of the project. The storm drainage system is to help address the flooding challenges being experienced at Obetsebi Lamptey.
Also under the Phase II, the 3rd tier of the interchange which would be on the Ring Road West (Awudome to Central Mosque at Abbosey Okai) would be constructed. Phase 1 of the project was executed by Messrs QGMI Constructiones E Infrastructuras Globales S. L. U with Messrs FAS consult Limited as the Engineer’s Representative. Phase II of the project is said to commence almost immediately.
