President John Mahama has announced the introduction of a strict weight restriction regime aimed at sanitizing discipline on the road and ensuring roads last for the expected life span.
At the groundbreaking ceremony for the redevelopment of the Cape Coast – Takoradi National route in Takoradi as part of the big push agenda, the President said consultation will soon commence with transport owners on the introduction in the next budget reading by the finance minister.
The redevelopment of the Cape Coast-Takoradi Road forms part of the National Route 1N1 and the Trans-West African Highway linking Accra to Takoradi.
The corridor carries more than 90% of freight and passenger movement to the Western Region and provides access to major tourism destinations such as Cape Coast and Elmina. The existing two-lane carriageway heavily congested and prone to accidents resulting
Government views the dualisation as a strategic national intervention under the Big Push infrastructure programme and a 24-hour economy policy aimed at improving mobility, safety and logistics efficiency while boosting regional economic activity.
Roads Minister, Kwame Governs Agbodza said government is intentional about local content in building roads while urging contractors to remain on site and build quality roads.
“Your Excellency, the contractors that have been selected to do this project have also been taken through good orientation. Many of them are Ghanaian contractors and we are going to build the best roads we have ever witnessed in our country and we say to every contractor who is participating, no one is compelling you to be part of the Big Push. However, if you decide to be part of President Mahama’s Big Push, you must be the best,” he said.
The project covers approximately 73.6 kilometres from Cape Coast to Takoradi divided into three contiguous lots for efficient implementation.
It will deliver three interchanges, four bridges and two pedestrian facilities. President John Mahama cautioned against the damage caused by heavy trucks that ply the roads with an assurance of a rigid weight restriction system.
“There are trucks in this country that load 120 tonnes when the maximum load is supposed to be 50 tonnes. There is no road you can construct that will stand 120 tonnes per truck and so I’ve told the Roads Minister and it’s going to be announced firmly in the budget. We’ll consult the drivers union, the transporters, we must implement weight restrictions so that the roads that we build can last.
Breaking the grounds, the President assured there will be no delay in the 24-month work duration period.
