Phase 1 of the Accra–Tema Motorway Expansion Reaches 53% Completion

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On October 28, Accra-Tema Expressway Limited (ATEL) disclosed at a media briefing that Phase 1 of the Accra–Tema Motorway and Extension Project (the 19.5 km section under construction) has reached 53% progress, with 805 days elapsed since construction began in August 2024. Chief Resident Engineer Kwabena Bempong stated that progress is slightly behind schedule, but contractor Maripoma Enterprise Limited aims to complete the work by August 2027. The briefing also featured the launch of the project website, which will publish construction progress, traffic diversion and safety notices.

The overall 53% progress corresponds to a stage where structural works are nearing completion and pavement works are about to begin, rather than the early stages of civil works. According to Project Manager Benjamin Sackey, who disclosed the details during a site inspection, concrete structures are approximately 70% complete, 4 km of roadbed has been laid and is ready for asphalt paving; 2 bridges have been completed, 7 pedestrian overpasses are at various stages of construction, and 2 interchanges are essentially complete. The remaining work is concentrated on asphalt surfacing, unfinished bridges and pedestrian overpasses, as well as drainage systems and road ancillary works, which constitute the main work fronts for the remaining construction period.

The project's total 27.7 km consists of three sections: the 19.5 km section under construction, the 5.7 km section from Tetteh Quarshie to Apenkwa, and the 2.5 km N6 section from near Tesano Police Station to Achimota. Phase 1 will build a dual-carriageway, access-controlled motorway running parallel to a three-lane dual-carriageway urban arterial road; some sections will be widened to five lanes in each direction for merging and transitioning between the two roads. Structures include 20 box culverts, 3 bridges, 7 pedestrian overpasses, and the reconstruction of four interchanges at Tetteh Quarshie, Teshie, Community 18, and Lashibi.

ATEL is responsible for financing, reconstruction, expansion, operation and maintenance. The Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) is the sponsor, and the Ministry of Transport and the Ghana Highway Authority are the public-sector partners. The project cost is approximately US$339 million, with total financing requirements of approximately US$380 million. The concession agreement has been approved by Parliament.

This motorway, which opened to traffic in 1965, currently carries approximately 60,000 vehicles per day, far exceeding its original design capacity. Once Phase 1 opens, the throughput capacity of the commuting, commercial and freight corridor between Accra and Tema Port will be expanded, but the 53% progress milestone represents engineering completion rather than released traffic capacity. Procurement for Phase 2 (widening George Bush Highway to 12 lanes) and Phase 3 (reconstruction of the Neoplan to Apenkwa section) is underway, with implementation planned to overlap with Phase 1, and the overall program is targeted for completion within 48 months.