The Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Atta, yesterday inaugurated the first phase of the Accra Intelligence Traffic Management Project (AITMP) at two intersections in Accra.
The systems installed at the Accra Sports Stadium Roundabout and the Kanda-Castle Road Intersection is to help reduce traffic congestion through a set of applications, management tools and intelligence transport systems.
The first phase involved the installation of 44 signalled intersections from Amasaman to the Central Business District of Accra as well as the construction of a centralised traffic monitoring centre at the Motor Traffic and Transport Division (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service and the Department of Urban Roads.
The project was funded by the China Development and the Government of Ghana-China Production capacity cooperation projects.
Mr Amoako-Atta speaking at the ceremony stated that about 253 signalised and non-signalised intersections within the city would be completed by the end of the year.
He indicated that all the facilities would be solar powered with first class traffic signal control and traffic flow guidance systems to check the violations of traffic rules and regulations.
The Minister said the system would also be fixed with smart checkpoint system round signs and makings, pedestrian hand railings for the complete expansion of the Accra Traffic Management Centre.
Mr Amoako-Atta stated that the systems at the Highstreet and Laterbiokoshie both in Accra would be completed at the end of the month while that of the Ring road, Graphic-Winneba road, Giffard and Obasanjo roads, the Independence Avenue and the Awoshie-Pokuase and Spintex as well as the George Walker Bush Highway would be completed between May and November this year.
On road construction, Mr Amoako-Atta noted that it cannot address congestions on the roads but other systems that could enforce and ensure compliance as well as reduce the heavy presence of MTTD personnel who would be deployed to other areas to maintain order on the road.
Mr Amoako-Atta said four more flyovers were being constructed to ease traffic congestion and expressed government’s commitment to address issues of indiscipline on the road.
The Operations Director at the MTTD Headquarters, Superintendent Dr Sasu Mensah commended the government for the facilities which he said would improve traffic management in the city.
According to him, traffic violations at any intersection would be dealt with appropriately and urged motorists to abide by traffic regulations in order not to fall foul of the law.
BY LAWRENCE VOMAFA-AKPALU
