The government would spend GHC1,000,000 to remove the toll booths on the Tema Motorway.

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The Accra-Tema Motorway’s tollbooth constructions will be partially decommissioned as part of a GH$1 million project started by the Ghana Highways Authority (GHA). This project attempts to improve local traffic conditions and increase road safety.

The primary tollbooths, two on each side, situated on the main motorway inner lane, will be destroyed as part of this project. The extra booths outside the main lanes, which were first erected to reduce traffic congestion, won’t be impacted though.

To ensure the complete disposal of the structures, the concrete slabs on which the tollbooths were situated will also be destroyed. The abandoned tollbooths have recently been the scene of accidents and safety risks, one of which resulted in a fatality.

This move has been brought forward by public complaints over the visibility of the abandoned tollbooths, particularly at night due to inadequate lighting or damaged reflectors.

The GHA’s Joseph Atsu Amedzake, Director of Road Safety and Environment, acknowledged that steps are being taken to partially remove the tollbooths in order to improve commuting conditions. He continued by saying that the initiative is moving forward as resources, tools, and persons are being mobilized.

Three lanes that house the tollbooths have been blocked off to protect safety while they are being removed. To alert drivers to the restriction of lanes, reflective cones have been placed inside the cordoned-off area.

A permanent lighting solution is being investigated for the entire expressway, but Mr. Amedzake also revealed that solar-powered streetlights will be erected at the Tema and Accra ends of the tollbooths to address safety concerns during the transitional phase.

Additionally, patching work will start to address the motorway’s depressed portions, which have been a major source of traffic congestion and commuters’ safety concerns. Mr. Amedzake asked drivers and commuters to use caution and obey speed restrictions when traveling the impacted stretches of the highway in order to avert accidents. This program attempts to increase commuters’ overall satisfaction with their travel experience and increase traffic safety.

Source:Radiooneghana.com/EWURAA