Officials from the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA), operating under the Ministry of Roads and Highways, are conducting an assessment of the abandoned tollbooths situated along the Tema Motorway.
The GHA has made the decision to remove these tollbooths, which are causing traffic congestion on the road. The removal project is divided into two phases: Phase 1 involves the installation of solar street lights to enhance safety along the motorway, while Phase 2 entails the removal of tollbooths located at both ends of the motorway. The estimated cost of the project exceeds GHC1 million.
This assessment follows a recent accident at the tollbooths on the Accra-Tema motorway, resulting in the loss of one life.
In November 2021, the Ministry of Roads and Highways issued a directive to immediately halt toll collection on all public roads and bridges across the country. This directive led to the abandonment of the tollbooths on the Tema Motorway.
Concerns have been raised by some motorists who consider the abandoned tollbooths to be a safety hazard. They have cited issues such as poor lighting, making them prone to accidents.
Regarding the project, Atsu Amedzake, the Road Safety Director of GHA, stated, “The first contractor we have brought here is to improve lightning. The lighting will also afford the contractor who will be demolishing the booths, the opportunity to work at night. We think that at night, when the traffic situation goes down, it will give the contractor sufficient time to do the demolishing work, to be able to expedite the work.”
He further explained that the project encompasses both the demolition of the tollbooths and the installation of solar-powered street lights, with an estimated budget of GHC1 million to cover these activities.
