President John Dramani Mahama has cut the sod for the dualization of the Cape Coast to Takoradi Road covering 73.6 kilometers.
In his address at the sod cutting ceremony, the president said the project is divided into three lots and given to three different contractors so that work can progress rapidly.
“What we have done is in the past normally that whole road would have been awarded to one contractor and it would take him a long time to continue until he finishes. Today that 73.6 kilometers we have divided into three lots and given to three different contractors so that the work can progress rapidly,” he said.
The President announced that by the time the Cape Coast-Takoradi dualization is completed the road from Accra to Takoradi will be dual carriageway all the way.
“Let me say that it’s not only Cape Coast to Takoradi, the other contractors working on Accra to Winneba Junction, Winneba Junction to Mankessim and then Mankessim to Cape Coast. So by the time we’re finishing this road, they also will be finishing. So the road from Accra to Takoradi will be dual carried all the way,” he stated.
President Mahama said each of the three lots is expected to be completed within 24 months but contractors say they can finish faster.
“Each of these lots, the three lots is expected to be completed within 24 months but my understanding from the contractors is they can finish faster than 24 months,” he said.
He noted that the project will create over 8,000 jobs during construction.
“It will create more than 8,000 jobs, 2,000 direct jobs and 6,000 indirect jobs during construction. And as the minister said, I appeal to the contractors, if you have to hire labor, you have to recruit some people, please look in the local communities and see if you can find the expertise that you need,” he added.
The President explained that the road forms part of the national routes which is popularly referred to as N1 and the Trans-West African Highway linking Accra to Takoradi.
“It carries more than 90 percent of freight and passenger movement to the western region and it connects our mining, oil, agriculture and tourism economies. It also links communities whose livelihoods depend on daily mobility and these are traders, students, farmers, fishermen and workers who spend countless hours in traffic every day because of congestion,” he said.
He stated that the current single carriageway has long outlived its design life.
“It has become congested, it has become accident-prone and inefficient leading to the loss of lives and productivity. This must change and today we’re making that change irreversible,” he said.
President Mahama announced that nine interchanges will be built on the entire stretch.
“The first contractor in lot four will be delivering three interchanges apart from the road. There’ll be three interchanges, there’ll be four bridges and there’ll be two pedestrian facilities. The second contractor would have two interchanges, three big bridges and four pedestrian crossings and the third for lot six will provide four interchanges, three major bridges, seven foot bridges and about 20 kilometers of service roads with a rest stop and an axle-weigh station,” he stated.
He noted that the road will feature two lane dual carriageways designed for speeds between 80 and 100 kilometers per hour.
“The road will feature two lane dual carriageways designed for speeds between 80 and 100 kilometers per hour with paved shoulders, improved drainage, LED lighting and polymer modified asphalt surfaces for durability and safety,” he said.
The President said when the project is completed it will reduce travel time between Cape Coast and Takoradi by 50 percent.
“When this project is completed, it will reduce the travel time between Cape Coast and Takoradi by 50 percent. It will improve safety for motorists and pedestrians alike. It will facilitate easier access to the Takoradi port and the industrial enclaves of western region and also the tourism destinations of western and central regions,” he added.
President Mahama announced that lot four is awarded to SNL Construction and Engineering Limited, lot five to Alicro Jewelers Limited and lot six to SNL Construction and Engineering Limited.
He said the project is a cornerstone of the 24-hour economy and reset agenda.
“This project is a cornerstone of our 24-hour economy and our reset agenda. It will enable faster, safer round-the-clock transport and logistics operation. It will reduce fuel consumption and vehicle maintenance costs for transporters. It will strengthen connectivity to export processing zones, port terminals and industrial corridors,” he stated.
The President said the project complements already ongoing big push projects including the Takoradi Port Expansion, the Western Rail Revival and the Atimpoku Hua Flower Road reconstruction.
He assured that government will honour all legitimate compensation claims associated with right-of-way acquisition.
“Government will honour all legitimate compensation claims associated with the right-of-way acquisition and will not repeat the mistakes of the past where infrastructure comes at the cost of our people’s livelihoods,” he said.
President Mahama urged all stakeholders to respect the environment, ensure proper drainage and waste management and minimize any adverse impacts on local communities.
Richard Aniagyei, ISD
