Flyover for Nkrumah circle

The minister of roads and highways, Mr. Joe Gidisu has finally hinted that plans are far advanced to construct a flyover at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, one of the busiest spots in Accra to help check traffic that normally builds up in the area.

Speaking to Joy FM yesterday, the minister said a Chinese firm had already completed drawings for the project and that very soon the art work would be made public for Ghanaians to make their inputs before the execution of the project. The Chronicle thinks this is good news that would gladden the hearts of Ghanaians especially Accra residents.

The capital city has become a nuisance for both motorists and passengers due to traffic jams. The situation is even worst around the newly constructed Tetteh Quashie Interchange, the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, and many other parts of the city during the morning and evening rush hours. Apart from the inconveniences that these traffic jams are causing motorists and workers, it is also slowing down productivity, which cost could run into several million of Ghana cedis if it is quantified.

With the proposed construction of the flyover coupled with the ongoing reconstruction of the motorway extension, Tetteh Quashie-Patang Junction roads, Accra's traffic problems could be curtailed. The Chronicle however wishes to advise Joe Gidisu's ministry to ensure that the Chinese architects come out with a good design for the proposed flyover.

Readers would agree that because of good design traffic jams are a rare occurrence around the Ako Adjei Interchange but the situation is not the same when it comes to the Tetteh Quashie Interchange. In fact the ministry has to do re-engineering work at the interchange to control traffic build up in the area.

Since a lot of money goes into projects such as construction of flyovers, the roads and highway ministry must ensure that we have value for the money the country has or is going to invest in the project. As we noted earlier Nkrumah Circle is one of the busiest spots in the Accra metropolis, therefore any faults in the design will only worsen traffic in that area.

The Chronicle also suggests to the ministry to think about the possibility of having further flyovers at the Airport junction and the Obetsebi Lamptey Circle in future.