Akufo-Addo cuts sod for construction works to begin on Obetsebi-Lamptey Interchange project

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Monday morning cut the sod to signify the beginning of construction works on the Obetsebi-Lamptey Interchange in Accra.

The redevelopment of the Obetsebi-Lamptey Circle in Accra into an interchange is to help ease traffic congestion on that corridor which links Kaneshie, Graphic Road, Nkrumah Circle and Abossey Okai.

The first phase consists of a two-tier interchange with storm drains and culverts beneath the Graphic Road.

It will link the Kaneshie Market to the central business district of Accra and through a loop to the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange area.

The second phase involves the widening of the road into a three-lane dual carriageway, with provision for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) facilities.

It will also see to the widening of the Awudome Cemetery and Nii Teiko Din (Prampram Junction) roads into dual carriage lanes, as well as improvement of the Kaneshie Market Terminal.

Design

The ground level will have re-modelled roundabout whilst the second tier will be an east to west flyover linking the Graphic Road to the Kaneshie-Mallam road.

The third tier will be a morth-south flyover on the Ring Road West, which will link the Ring Road from the Royal Chapel to the Central Mosque at Abossey Okai.

Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony Monday morning, President Akufo-Addo said the construction of the interchange was part of a number of actions being undertaken by the government to improve urban mobility within the western parts of Accra.

"We are tacking critical road projects in a holistic manner so that every part of the country has quality all-weather roads."

President Akufo-Addo said the construction of the Obetsebi-Lamptey interchange will help address the congestion being faced by commuters at the roundabout, and will help improve mobility on the Ring Road corridor.

It is estimated that Obetsebi-Lamptey Circle records a peak hour traffic volume of approximately 8000 vehicles per hour, with a Level of Service (LOS) of F at peak periods.

"This LOS, which is the worst rating, is unacceptable", President Akufo-Addo said.

"I have been informed that discussions have already taken place between the Ministries of Roads and Highways and Works and Housing to ensure that the drainage works to be undertaken under this project do not adversely affect works to be undertaken under the Greater Accra Resilient City Project, being funded by the World Bank.