Parliament has given the green light for the construction of a new Accra–Kumasi Expressway, appointing Accra–Kumasi Expressway Limited as the concessionaire for the project.
The approval follows mounting public concerns about the deteriorating state of the existing Accra–Kumasi highway. Motorists have long complained about the numerous potholes, bumpy surfaces, and poor lighting, all of which pose significant safety risks and impede efficient travel.
Roads and Highways Minister, Governs Agbodza, addressed Parliament, assuring lawmakers that the new expressway will run parallel to the current highway, offering a superior alternative rather than a replacement.
According to the Minister, international transport regulations allow for tolling on expressways to recoup construction expenses, provided a free alternative route is available. “When you build an expressway, you are allowed to charge a certain level of toll to recover the cost, but you must have an alternative,” he stated, emphasizing that the original road will remain open to the public.
The planned expressway will be a six-lane dual carriageway, aiming to significantly improve safety, cut down on travel time between Accra and Kumasi, and establish a quicker, more dependable transportation link.
Mr. Agbodza described the venture as a vital investment, highlighting the importance of the Accra–Kumasi corridor as a key route for travel and trade across the country.
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