Benin Asaba Expressway Construction to Accelerate From October
The Benin Asaba Expressway Concession Company Limited, BAECC, has appealed to motorists and communities along the Benin Asaba Expressway to exercise patience as it prepares to accelerate construction works on the 125 kilometre highway.
The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Samuel Daramola, made the appeal in a statement on Monday, saying persistent rainfall had affected the pace and sequencing of some construction activities.
Daramola said BAECC remained committed to delivering the project despite the challenges of reconstructing a heavily travelled highway while keeping the road open to traffic.
“We recognise the inconvenience that motorists and communities have experienced, and we do not take their concerns lightly,” he said.
“Our responsibility is not only to build the permanent road but also to do everything reasonably possible to keep people moving while construction is taking place.”
Rainfall affects Benin Asaba Expressway construction
According to BAECC, persistent rainfall has created saturated ground conditions, affecting earthworks, pavement stabilisation and asphalt operations.
The company, however, said construction had not stopped, as its teams continued with drainage works, culvert construction, earthworks and other engineering activities where weather conditions permitted.
BAECC said substantial work had already been undertaken on various sections of the expressway, including earthworks and subgrade preparation, drainage and culvert construction, asphalt and binder course works and carriageway expansion.
The company also said it had mobilised asphalt plants, concrete batching plants, paving equipment, concrete mould plants, Wet Mix Macadam plants and other specialised construction equipment.
According to BAECC, billions of naira in private sector resources have been committed to equipment, construction plants, materials, logistics and supporting infrastructure for the project.
Keeping highway open adds to construction challenges
BAECC said reconstruction had been complicated by the need to keep the busy Benin Asaba corridor open to thousands of motorists, buses, commercial vehicles and articulated trucks.
Daramola explained that some sections had been reopened earlier than engineers would ordinarily prefer in order to ease traffic congestion.
“We are building and managing traffic at the same time,” he said.
“There are occasions when engineering considerations would favour keeping a section closed for longer, but the realities facing motorists require us to reopen the road.”
The company said palliative interventions would continue on difficult sections to reduce the hardship faced by motorists while permanent reconstruction progresses.
BAECC prepares for dry season construction
Daramola said BAECC was preparing for a significant acceleration of permanent works from October as weather conditions improve.
The planned works include drainage completion, pavement reconstruction, asphalt binder and wearing course installation, culvert construction and other permanent works across multiple sections of the expressway.
Additional personnel, equipment and construction resources are also being mobilised ahead of the dry season construction window.
“As the rains recede, Nigerians will see a significant acceleration of permanent works,” Daramola said.
He appealed to motorists and host communities to consider the project within its 36 month construction programme rather than judge it solely by the difficulties currently being experienced.
Daramola acknowledged the challenges faced by road users and said BAECC was addressing them through palliative interventions while working towards a permanent solution.
“What we ask for is the time and opportunity to deliver the project within the construction programme. Judge us ultimately by the quality, durability and safety of the highway we deliver,” he said.
BAECC also pledged continued cooperation with the Federal Government, relevant agencies and host communities towards delivering a safe and reliable Benin Asaba Expressway.
“The road people see during construction is not the road they will see at completion,” Daramola said, appealing for more patience as construction progresses.