Reconstruction of the 66-kilometre Tarkwa-Agona Nkwanta stretch of the Takoradi -Tarkwa highway has begun, the Ghanaian Times reports.
On Saturday, a visit to the project site by this reporter revealed that excavators have begun clearing the shoulders from the Agona Nkwanta end through Kyekyewere, Kofikrom, Kadadwen, Nsuaem to the Simpa section of the road.
These earthworks aimed at paving way for major asphalt works for the two-lane single carriageway project. Some surveyors were also sighted marking the road.
The project when completed is expected to reduce the congestion along the highway, especially the drudgery at Tarkwa.
The reconstruction of the 66-kilometre Tarkwa -Agona Nkwanta highway began in September, this year, with the injection of 95 million Euros from the Deutche Bank AG, Frankfurt, Germany.
The project, being implemented by the Ministry of Roads and Highways, was awarded to M/S Gabriel Cuoto-Rango Consortium on November 9, 2020, and will be completed on August 31, 2024.
Referred to as Inter Regional Route 6(R6) project, it would connect the mineral and agricultural rich lands in the Western, Ashanti, Western North and Central regions to the Port of Takoradi.
It is also the shortest way from middle, northern part of Ghana and Burkina Faso to the city of Abidjan through Apimanim in the Ahanta West municipality of the Western Region.
Meanwhile, commuters have urged the contractor to expedite work so as to reduce the drudgery nature of the road, users experienced when they use that road.
Again, they said, remedial works should be done on the huge potholes along some stretches particularly from Wassa Simpa junction, the Bonsaso Bridge, the police barrier, the toll booth up to Wassa Agona.
Another concern was the speeding beyond limit and careless overtaking by long vehicles on the road despite the potholes.
The Ghanaian Times gathered that, road maintenance gangs had begun routine works on some potholes while the Wassa Agona stretch had also been graded to ensure smooth drive.
The Agona to Ahwetieso stretch, commuters claimed, had been a source of worry anytime there were heavy rains in the Tarkwa enclave.
In an interview with the Ghanaian Times, Justice Appah, a trader at Tarkwa, believed that the reconstruction showed government’s commitment to reduce the burden of commuters and also improve transportation of goods and services.
He, however, said the contractor should consider the project an urgency and complete it on schedule.
“We applaud government’s efforts to rehabilitate the Takoradi -Tarkwa road. This was long expected. This stretch is the major artery of Ghana’s roads and so it is important it is completed on time to save travel time and also reduce wear and tear of vehicles.
“This happened to me on Saturday evening when I was returning to Takoradi. This road has great economic significance to Ghana’s economy, it hauls cocoa, timber, bauxite, manganese, rubber, fuel and even cement products.” Mr Appiah added.
FROM CLEMENT ADZEI BOYE, KYEKYEWERE
