The new tunnel under the Accra-Tema motorway, that connects East Legon to the Spintex Road and aimed at fixing the usual gridlock in that area of Accra has been opened to traffic.

The new 8.5-meter wide tunnel has helped to ease traffic in that area of Accra as it has ensured a continuous two-way flow of traffic instead of the previous alternating flows that motorists were experiencing under the old one-way 4.5-meter wide tunnel.

 

• Additional tunnel to be built on Spintex Road - Work commences in October this year

The old tunnel was constructed to serve as a cattle crossing point when the motorway was opened to traffic in November of 1965 but as residential developments expanded at East Legon and beyond, it became prudent to convert the cattle crossing for vehicular use under an alternating one-way traffic system.

Over time the traffic in the area increased to the extent that motorists had to endure long queues to cross.

At peak hours, it used to take not less than a 30 minutes wait to cross to the other side but once the new tunnel was opened to traffic on Monday evening, the traffic flow was "super", a motorist told Graphic Online.

• Highway Authority orders traders out of tunnel ends

 

Below are photos of the new tunnel

 

Contractors putting finishing touches to upper surface of the tunnel on the Tema-Accra section of the motorway.

 

The old 4.5-metre tunnel

Writer's email: enoch.frimpong@graphic.com.gh

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