Commuters have expressed concerns about the stalling of the construction works on the three-tier PTC interchange in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis of the Western Region.
They complain that the situation was creating inconvenience, especially with regard to the stretch from the Goil Filling Station at the Kwame Nkrumah Roundabout through Kwesiminstim to Agona Nkwanta in the Ahanta West Municipality.
Again, they claim access routes from the PTC interchange area had developed potholes, making it extremely difficult for drivers to ply them, especially during heavy rains and associated floods and heavy traffic congestion along the Takoradi-Agona Nkwanta corridor.
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in September 2020 cut the sod for the construction of the first-ever interchange at the PTC roundabout in Takoradi.
The project, scheduled to be completed in 30 months, was being executed by Messrs Power China Sino Hydro Corporation Limited.
It is part of a Sinohydro agreement and will enhance free flow of traffic in Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis, while addressing traffic congestion in the city, especially the PTC and Paa Grant roundabout areas
Data from Department of Urban Roads estimated traffic congestion at 4.5 per cent higher than the national estimate of 3.5 per cent.
In January 2022, the Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Atta, inspected the project and works were on schedule at about 20 per cent complete.
He said any delay in the execution of the project would affect other ongoing road projects in Takoradi, especially the planned Paa Grant Interchange project.
At the time, works undertaken included the drilling and casting of 57 piles out of 107.
The construction of retaining walls on the Axim road approach and pile caps at four locations are ongoing while excavation and casting of blinding for retaining wall foundation and drilling of piles on the Accra Road approach, were also in progress.
However, in January this year, the Chinese contractor left site and the project had since stalled.
When the Ghanaian Times visited the project site yesterday, works at all sections of the interchange had stopped.
For example, iron rods erected on the eastern end of third tier, connecting the Accra road, were exposed to the weather.
Again, metal scaffolds holding the entire structure were still in place.
The entire project site was also dotted with overgrown weeds while metals used as barricades had also been vandalised by miscreants, the Ghanaian Times learned.
Commenting on the situation, the Vice Chairman, Takoradi-Elubo branch of the Ghana Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Dawoud Entsie, complained about the deplorable section of the road at the interchange area.
He suggested that even if the project had stalled, the stretch should be routinely reshaped to ease inconveniences in travelling including frequent breakdown of vehicles.
“The Goil area of the interchange is prone to flooding and worsens the already deplorable road, making it unmotorable due to the potholes in the area,” Mr Entsie noted.
He told the Ghanaian Times that, a vehicle from Agona Nkwanta could spend about two hours to reach Takoradi.
He added that, about two weeks ago, the Kwesimistim section was blocked and so vehicles used a single lane to Takoradi, worsening the situation at the interchange, thereby increasing travelling time.
“It’s terrible, you go for a trip on the Agona Nkwanta road, and you have to change your ball joints and shock absorbers. We plead that government completes the projects to improve travelling time, reduce high cost of repairs. Kwesimintsim stretch from the interchange has developed depressions and it’s a worry,” Mr Entsie said.
Chairman, Takoradi- J’Wharf- Half Assini branch, Solomon Brenim, also mentioned trucks which hauled bauxite and manganese to the Takoradi Port, as another cause of the deterioration to the already deplorable road from Takoradi to Agona Nkwanta.
When contacted, the Regional Director, Department of Urban Roads, Jones Debrah, declined to comment and directed the reporter to call Accra, saying “I am not permitted to speak to the media.”
FROM CLEMENT ADZEI BOYE, TAKORADI
