By Rachel Kakraba
A footbridge is set to be constructed in front of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) at Kanda in Accra, following years of safety concerns along the busy stretch.
The area, notorious for frequent knockdowns and near misses caused by motorists ignoring existing zebra crossings, is considered a danger zone for pedestrians. The new footbridge forms part of the Road Safety Improvement Project being implemented by the Department of Urban Roads to address these concerns.
Construction work is already underway, with the site currently being cleared. The project is expected to bring major relief to GBC staff, clients, and pedestrians from neighbouring institutions who regularly use the stretch.
Benjamin Dadson, Construction Manager at Asona Enterprises Limited, the subcontractor on the project, confirmed in an exclusive interview that a set of designs and drawings has been received for implementation.
“We’ve been given sets of designs or drawings developed in collaboration with the Department of Urban Roads, and we are to execute them. What we are doing now is the first stage: clearing the site. We’ll do our surveys and then have the design footprints implemented on the ground. The construction period is estimated at a minimum of six to nine months, all things being equal,” Mr Dadson explained.
He noted that several obstacles, including drains, telecom infrastructure, and service lines, have already been identified and will be addressed as the project progresses.
“We have a lot of impacts here that are affecting progress. If need be, we will relocate them before continuing with construction,” he said.
Mr Dadson added that a Traffic Management Plan would be rolled out during the construction period to ensure pedestrian and vehicular safety.
“We have a traffic management plan in place for the location. It’s important that once you see these signs, you give them the needed attention and follow the rules that come with them,” he urged.
The GBC footbridge is part of 14 similar projects being undertaken by Janson Bridging International, with Asona Enterprises Limited as the subcontractor.
It is expected to bring significant relief to pedestrians by providing a safer crossing and preventing the accidents that have long plagued the area.
