BY ASHENAFI ANIMUT
ADDIS ABABA– Some 57 % of the construction of the Modjo-Hawassa Expressway, which is expected to enhance the connectivity in the Central-South Ethiopian towns, is completed, the Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA) announced.
The momentum of the construction will continue unabated until the completion date as it was during its launching, the Project Manager Addishiwot Tadesse told The Ethiopian Herald. Accordingly, 57 % (109.1km) of the project has been completed.
The 31- meter and four lanes project is equipped with a dual carriageway to provide a high speed, free-flowing connection and improve the connectivity of high-potential farming and tourism areas.
Part of the larger Addis Ababa-Moyale-Nairobi-Mombasa corridor, Modjo-Hawassa Expressway has strategic importance to diversify Ethiopia’s connectivity with neighboring countries.
Concerning the finance, the project manager stated that the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank (WB) extended over 3.3 billion Birr for the construction of the 57.1 km-long Batu-Arsi Negele, Expressway.
Whereas, the China Exim Bank covered 85 % of the 5.3- billion- Birr budget for the 52 km-long Arsi Negele-Hawassa road project while the balance was contributed by the Ethiopian government.
Addishiwot stated; however, that financial constraints, shortage of construction inputs, and debt restructuring delays have seriously impacted the execution of one of Ethiopia’s most important road links.
Plan was set to complete Batu- Arsi Negele and Arsi Negele-Hawassa road project within three- and- half years, but cement scarcity, security, and land demarcation-related problems have delayed the execution.
“Consolidated efforts are underway by the government and other stakeholders to address the stated challenges and ensure the speedy completion of the project.”
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 1 APRIL 2023
