President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday broke ground on a $73.6-kilometer dual carriageway project connecting Cape Coast and Takoradi, a major step in the country’s efforts to modernize its transport infrastructure and stimulate economic activity along the western corridor.

The Cape Coast–Takoradi highway forms a vital segment of both Ghana’s National Route 1 and the larger Trans–West African Highway, a regional trade artery spanning several West African nations. The road, which has fallen into significant disrepair, has become a hotspot for traffic accidents and transport inefficiencies, according to government officials.

“This road is a lifeline for commerce and mobility across the region,” President Mahama said during a sod-cutting ceremony in Assorko Essaman, a town in the Shama District. “Its transformation will not only reduce accidents but enhance connectivity and economic integration with neighboring countries.”

The two-year project is part of the government’s broader “Big Push” roads initiative, which aims to modernize critical infrastructure across Ghana. The upgraded highway will include nine interchanges, 10 bridges, 15 pedestrian overpasses, 20 kilometers of service roads, as well as axle load stations and rest stops to support commercial transport and improve safety conditions.

The construction has been divided into three lots:

Lot 1: Cape Coast to Kissi

Lot 2: Kissi to Daboase

Lot 3: Daboase to the Takoradi Airport Roundabout

Three separate contractors have been assigned to each lot, though details on the firms involved were not disclosed.

Earlier in the day, President Mahama toured the newly completed Western Regional Hospital in Apemenyim, underscoring the administration’s ongoing investments in public infrastructure.

The dualisation project is expected to play a central role in easing traffic congestion, reducing travel times, and enhancing the competitiveness of ports and industrial hubs in the region.