Work resumes on Tema Motorway Roundabout project
The Tema Motorway Roundabout has temporarily been closed to traffic to make way for the second phase of an expansion project to commence.
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The closure will last for three months to enable the contractors, Synohydro Ghana Limited, to speed up works to meet an August 2017 deadline for the completion of the project.
As part of the project, roads near the roundabout will be turned into dual carriage to connect Tema, Aflao and the Tema-Akosombo roads.
The project is being financed by Meridian Port Services (MPS) at a cost of GH¢28 million. It forms part of the company’s social responsibilities.
Closure
The Head of the Road Implementation Project at MPS, Mr Victor Moutinho, explained to the Daily Graphic that the closure of the road had become necessary to enable the contractors to meet the deadline for its completion.
The closure has already created heavy vehicular traffic in the Tema metropolis compelling motorists to find alternative routes to avoid the gridlock.
Slipways
Mr Moutinho said the contractors had put in place slipways that pass in front of the Southern Fried Chicken Restaurant, near the Tema Motorway Roundabout and connect to the Hospital Link and the Harbour Road to ease the vehicular traffic.
According to him, the Hospital Link road from the roundabout will be converted into a one-way lane to make way for easy flow of traffic from the various slipways.
“This project will significantly reduce traffic along the roundabout and the entire industrial community within the Tema metropolis”, he stated.
He said diversional signs would be mounted at vantage locations on the various connecting roads from Akosombo and the Aflao Link roads to direct motorists.
Public cooperation
Mr Moutinho said whereas the blockade would cause inconvenience to both commuters and motorists, public cooperation was needed to address the challenges.
According to him, the project is significant in the business of MPS, and expresses the hope that the uncertainties surrounding expansion works on the main Tema-Accra Motorway into a six-lane road will be addressed soon, especially in the wake of the ongoing Tema Port expansion works which is expected to increase container traffic in that part of the country.