New bridge over Volta attracts Japanese funding

Japanese financial assistance of a loan of 11.2 billion yen for the construction of a new bridge across the Volta River on the Eastern Corridor Road, at Volivo, has been approved by Parliament.

The project consists of a 540m long and 17.1m wide cable stayed bridge on concrete pier and abutments. It would have three spans: -two outer spans of 96m and a middle span of 280m.

The Eastern Corridor Road streches from the Tema Roundabout and ends at Kunlungugu. The North – Eastern Border with Burkina Faso covers a distance of about 695.6km.

The route also provides the shortest access to the Tema Port from the Northern parts of the country.

The construction of the road is expected to increase vehicular traffic on the route.

Mr James Avedzi Klutse, Chairman of the Finance Committee in Parliament, presenting the Committee’s Report, said it is expected that at the completion of work on the Eastern Corridor road network, there will be excessive pressure on the Adomi Bridge.

This pressure, he said, necessitates the construction of an alternative bridge across the Volta River to care for any weakness due to the pressure or closure for routine maintenance.

The Committees said the Eastern Corridor road would eventually become one of the main South-North corridor because it is the shortest route to the Northern Sector of the country.

According to the report, it is important to have more than one crossing point on the Volta River and Volivo has a vital role to play.

“It will ensure uninterrupted flow of traffic in the event of any unforeseen circumstances resulting in the closure of the Adomi Bridge, “the Report said.

The of Y 1.2 billion loan facility attracts an interest rate of 0.1 per cent per annum, consulting service fees of 0.01 per cent per annum and maturity period of 40 years, including a grace period of 10 years.

There is a grant element of 66.64 per cent.

Source: GNA