ADDIS ABABA– The construction of a-13.58 billion Birr Modjo-Hawasa Expressway is progressing well with main asphalt works of the first phase, Modjo- Meki, and the second phase, Meki -Zeway, hitting 88 percent and 81 percent completions respectively.
The two phases stretch 56.4 km. and 37 km. in that order while the total construction is being carried out in four phases.
Speaking to The Ethiopian Herald on phone, the Authority’s Communication Director Samson Wondimu said despite the global challenge owing to COVID-19, the construction of the 202-km. expressway is in good shape taking utmost care to prevent the spread of the virus.
The majority of construction inputs are
available at home while an adequate amount of input has already been imported, he said.
Further, he said the first and second phases of the construction’s main asphalt works that began in 2016 shall see finalizations by end of this year and by come October
respectively. Besides, the third (57 km. Zeway-Arsi Negelle) and fourth (52 km. Arsi Negelle-Hawasa) phases that were commenced in 2018 have seen 8 and 10 percent of completions correspondingly, he added.
The first two phases obtained finance from the African Development Bank and Korean Exim Bank, and the third and fourth phases have been funded by the World Bank and the Chinese Exim Bank.
Regarding challenges, he said right of way tasks caused some hurdles but discussions have been made with respective administrations and residents to do away with the challenges.
Upon completion, the road connects Ethiopia to Kenyan’s port Mombasa, and it is also designated part of the Cairo-Cape Town, Trans-African Highway, which facilitates import-export among African countries. It is also expected to attract investment in the adjacent areas.
The project has so far created 3000 jobs for citizens, Samson said.
BY MISGANAW ASNAKE
The Ethiopian Herald May 1/2020
