In fulfilment of the promise that three strategic roads leading out of Accra would be tackled this year, President Kufuor has cut the sod to signify the commencement of the construction of the seven-kilometer six lane Kwame Nkrumah Circle-Achimota section of Accra-Kumasi highway project.

The project which ends at Neoplan junction is being undertaken with ?210 billion loan from the International Development Agency (IDA) of the World Bank.

Ghana Government is providing five percent of the total cost.

Taysec Construction Limited won the contract bid, which entails construction of the two footbridges at Kwame Nkrumah Circle and Avenor and a grade separation (mini-interchange) at the Alajo junction.

Other components of the project are construction of an interchange at the Achimota School junction, a trans-terminal off the Achimota School road, several signalised inter section and a two-kilometre access road into the industrial area at the Alajo Section.

The peoject is expected to be completed in 32 months.

President Kufuor noted that Kwame Nkrumah Circle-Achimota road, which is the most important road in the country, does not only connect the two biggest cities but also leads all the way to the north and out to the neighbouring landlock sahelian countries.

The president, cited traffic hold ups among some of the frustrations faced by motorists and commuters on the road and hoped that the six lane carriageway and a flyover to cater for the railway track and access to Alajo would solve the perennial problem.

He states that the project is the start of a big push to develop infrastructure and build a modern road network to open up the country for rapid development.

President Kufuor paid tribute to Ghana?s development partners for supporting the government?s efforts in the implementation of major road projects.

Earlier, the Minister of Roads and Transport, Dr. Richard Anane has noted that government is adopting a holistic approach in the development of transport infrastructure and services.

Government is paying equal attention to road and rail mass public transportation, hence it is implementing expansion and modernizing programmes at the Kotoka International Airport to make it more functional and bring comfort to passengers, he added.

?Our ports are being rehabilitated to reduce turn round time; the development of the inland port of Boankra in the Ashanti is on going, he dated?.

He disclosed that, funds are being sourced to expand and modernize the rail system to play a more pro-active role in economic development.

Dr. Anane assured that there are many more activities in the pipeline that are best testimony of the Government?s commitment to the overall development of the nation to re-position itself to complete in the global community and take advantage of the numerous opportunities of globalisation.