TRASACCO blocks bypass on Accra -Tema motorway

Real Estate Developer, Trasacco Valley has mounted a temporary blockade on an access road it constructed to the Accra-Tema motorway.

The unauthorized route was constructed ostensibly for the easy transportation of dignitaries to be housed at the Trasacco Valley Estate for Ghana's golden jubilee celebrations.

But in spite of the blockade, the adjoining road itself continues to raise safety concerns on the motorway.

Joy FM's Israel Laryea who visited the motorway to see the bypass has reported that although the blockade has temporarily halted its use, there is concern about the menace the bypass poses for users of the motorway.

The access road from the plush Trasacco Valley Estates joins the motorway about eight kilometers to the end of the highway from Tema.

The road allows a short slipway that runs alongside the motorway before re-entering it.

Some road construction engineers have described the road as illegal because it breaks the rules regarding the freeway concept of the motorway.

The former Vice Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, who is also a road engineer, Prof. Kwesi Andam says such a road would be an unwelcome disruption for high speeding motorists on the motorway who expect free flowing traffic.

“Highways are different roads on which motorists can drive up to 70 miles per hour so it's not something that is acceptable at all and there should be a good explanation why such an illegal connection has been made. There will be a lot of possibilities for fatal accidents at such places,” said Prof. Kwesi Andam.

There has been no official reason why the road has been allowed in the first place, but officials have been quick to close any such aberrations in the recent past.

Officials of the Ghana Highway Authority have refused to comment on the road even though they are fully aware of its existence and the present menace it poses.

Sources however say the plush estates would accommodate some of the heads of states and dignitaries attending Ghana's Golden Jubilee celebrations and therefore the road is to allow easy access for security purposes.

But Prof. Andam believes the right thing ought to be done.

He said there should be a clear warning sign about a mile away to warn motorists about the temporal access road and another one warning motorists accessing the motorway from the illegal access to ensure they take the necessary precautions to avoid causing accidents.

JOY News has learnt that the Ministry of Transport has scheduled a press conference for Tuesday to address questions on the access road.