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Construction work on the 3.2-kilometre Achimota Bypass in Accra, which links the Christian Village to the Achimota Filling Station, is progressing steadily, despite some delays. Work on the GH�6,961 million project began in December last year and was expected to be completed in three months but that appears unlikely as the contractor has so far executed 63 per cent of the project. The completion date has, therefore, been revised to February, 2014. Maripoma Enterprise Limited, a local construction firm, was engaged by the Department of Urban Roads (DUR) for the project last year. It is being supervised by an engineer from the Metro Roads Department. A major hindrance to the progress of work has been the encroachment on the right of the way, which has not allowed the contractor to get the right alignment for the construction of drains in the Christian Village side of the work. That challenge has, however, been sorted out. According to the site engineer, Mr Geshon Akakpo, minor demolition was currently ongoing to clear the way for work to continue. When completed, the new road will offer motorists a convenient alternative to avoid the morning and evening vehicular congestion on the Achimota-Gimpa Road. It will also give easy access to motorists moving from the back gate of the Achimota Terminal towards Kisseiman, Christian Village, Dome Pillar Two, Haatso and beyond. That road is directly in front of the Achimota dump site, which was closed by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) amidst controversy early this year. The project is also expected to improve the poor drainage in the area. �The cumulative physical progress of work as of August, 2013 is 63 per cent,� the Resident Engineer, Mr Kofi Nti stated. Mr Nti said the project was also expected to increase the efficiency and capacity of the Achimota-GIMPA Road, as it would help remove the typical gridlock associated with the morning and evening rush hours. According to him, the contractor has so far completed a culvert while another one is nearing completion. Work is yet to begin on the third culvert. Personnel of Maripoma Enterprise Limited were working on the drains at the time of the Daily Graphic�s visit to the site. Other ancillary works, including the construction of the University of Ghana wall and the rehabilitation of the 600-metre GIMPA-Legon Road, are being carried out under the project.