The Ministry of Roads and Highways says it will ensure that repair works on the bridge at the Accra-Tema motorway will be completed by Friday, 17 June, to allow free traffic flow on the highway.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, 14 June, the ministry said the reopening would be done by 6 am.
It said the Ghana Highway Authority is working day and night to ensure that the work is completed on time.
“The Ghana Highway Authority has been working day and night to reconstruct the deck, applying modern technology of concrete production and use to ensure that the road is opened to traffic by Friday, 17 June 2022 at 6:00 am.
“In addition to the ongoing traffic management measures on the motorway aimed at alleviating the inconveniences to the motoring public, contractors working on the Beach road have been directed to ensure that the dual carriage sections are opened to traffic. The motoring public is advised to use alternative roads such as Fertilizer Road, Tsui Bleoo Road, Spintex Road 1, Teshie Link, Adogon Highway and Burma Camp Roads 1 & 2 and follow directional signs,” the statement said.
The ministry’s statement comes at a time when commuters have been lamenting about the worsening traffic congestion on the stretch as a result of the construction since Monday, 13 June 2022, when the construction started.
According to the ministry, the ongoing work is necessary to protect lives and property as the bridge on the Lakplakpa river, which was last repaired in 2014, had become defective.
“In 2014, one span of the 2-span bridge was replaced with a steel deck. Presently, the steel deck has failed, and defects have occurred in the remaining reinforced concrete slab.”
“The defects on the steel deck have affected the steel beams and welds. In order to save life and property, it was imperative to close that section of the road for emergency repairs,” it added.
The ongoing repair works, which started about two weeks ago, have led to heavy vehicular traffic on the route.