The Accra-Tema Beach Road is under construction and this wonderful project which is very much appreciated especially by motorists, clearly indicates that government is making good use of those huge loans it collected.
But it may not be exactly value for money if two things are not included, footbridges and the reconstructing of some town roads within Teshie.
When the Tetteh Quarshie-Adenta highway was constructed, footbridges were not added to the drawings so none was constructed. Soon, in the Madina and Adenta area, casualties as a result of people being knocked down by cars when they attempted to cross the road, started escalating.
The youth got angry and they went on the rampage, blocking the road and burning tyres in the process.
Then, government took a wise decision and quickly constructed footbridges and today, there is no news of casualties on that long stretch of road.
It looks as if the Beach Road project is also going to face the same fate, since with construction of that stretch of road fast advancing to its completion, there is no indication that footbridges will be constructed, anytime soon.
It is as if we have not learnt any lessons and I am more concern about the area called Teshie. Over there, if any human being on foot or on bike runs into your car, then know that your death warrant has been signed. How much more, then,if you run into a pedestrian?
Teshie is a bustling community township where it seems everybody has got business to do at the other side of the road.
The turnover of human traffic that cross the road in a day, could surpass that of vehicular traffic. And, one can imagine the great commotion when the road is completed and vehicles start cruising up and down.
No one wishes that the Madina-Adenta incidents should happen in Teshie and Nungua.
No one is hopping for people to be killed by vehicles, but it looks like that could be case unless the road minister, quickly draws attention of the construction firm, to the fact that as urgent as yesterday, footbridges are constructed at all vantage points.
I am talking about as urgent as yesterday, because with some parts of the road almost completed, pedestrians are finding it difficult crossing over in peace.
The areas in Teshie should include, from Third Junction (Brigade) where two will be needed, Second Junction, where one will be needed and First Junction, where two footbridges would be needed. In addition, in between the Third and Second Junction and between the Second and First Junction, a footbridge each, will be needed.
Also, before the Teshie Melcom and at the Martin Sowah Junction by Ss Anne and Joachim Catholic Church footbridges will be required.
Where the Adjei-Boye Sekan road cuts into the Teshie road at the traffic lights, in the area called Mobil, will require two footbridges, one on each side of the junction. One will be required at Adueme and one before and after La Scala.Lastly, one will be required close to the Family Health Hospital.
Considering the Nungua area, one footbridge will be required at the Bank of Africa area and one at the Beach Drive Junction. One will be required at the GCB area, another at the Goil Filling Station area and one before the Ghana Water Company Ltd.
Continuing, one footbridge will be required before the Prudential Bank, and another after ADB, Nungua, with one before the Shell Filling and one at the Bank Drive, Junction.
Another footbridge at the First Trust Savings and Loans,another at the Maritime Academy Road Junction and another after the Buade Road junction.
One footbridge at Royal Ravico and the last in front of SSNIT office, will complete Nungua.
This 3.8 kilometers of road in my estimate, will require twenty-eight footbridges, if pedestrians will have safe passages across the busy road. Provision must be made for people in wheelchairs.
While, I am at this, I will strongly suggest that attention must be given to Teshie town roads which are in such terrible shape, especially in these rainy seasons.
In my opinion these roads need urgent attention, since they carry heavy traffic, almost every day, except perhaps on Saturdays and Sundays.
Beginning from 10th Street, intercepting the Volta Road on the Greda Estates side, right through to Greda Estate Taxi Rank (Busy Mouth) and continuing on E Street right through to the Fertilizer Road, will need urgent attention.
Also, 3rd Avenue Extension, right through to Xenon Road to meet Fertilizer Road will need attention.
The full stretch of the Fertilizer Road from its interception into Volta Road, right through into Tsui Bleoo Road up to the LEKMA Hospital is supposed to be a dual carriageway, and prompt attention must be given to this long stretch of road, if traffic is to dispersed evenly in the area.
The Fertilizer Road section from First Junction to the Shell Roundabout is also earmarked for dual carriageway and demands urgent attention.
And lastly the full stretch of the King Kotey Road, from Fertilizer Road right through into the Nii Ashitey Akomfra Street, will need very urgent attention.
In a nutshell, I am only drawing attention to accidents that can be prevented, if footbridges and well laid out inner roads are constructed. We must learn lessons.
Hon. Daniel Dugan
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect The Chronicle’s stance.
