ERA, Chinese company sign accord for construction of over 8 billion birr worth road

Addis Ababa, June 27, 2009 (Addis Ababa) -The Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA) signed agreement with a Chinese company for construction of new asphalt road from Addis Ababa to Adama at a cost of over eight billion birr.

The road which starts from Tulu Demtu area of Akaki sub-city crossing Dukem, Bishoftu, and Modjo towns will be 80-km long.

The road is believed to ease high traffic from Adama to Addis Ababa, which is the main route for the nation's import and export trade.

The agreement will include construction of roads linking the new road with the existing road in Dukem, Bishoftu, Modjo and Adama towns.

Construction of the road becomes finalized after four years.

Some 350 million USD of the total cost of the construction work will be covered by the Chinese Exim Bank through loan and the balance by the government of Ethiopia.

ERA’s Director General, Zaid Wolde Gebriel and Chinese Communication and Construction company Ethiopia manager have signed the agreement.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, the director said the road is a pioneer and modern in history of Ethiopian road construction.

He said the road will provide safe and speedy service. The new road will enable to reduce the journey from Addis Ababa to Adama to one hour from about three hours