Government says its plan to expand the Accra-Tema Motorway into a six-lane dual carriage way has been delayed due to lack of funding.

The government two years ago announced, all was set for work to begin on adding extra lanes to the motorway to provide unhindered traffic but that may not happen anytime soon, according to Roads and Highways Minister, Alhaji Amidu Sulemana.

"...it's contingent on funding because when transaction advisor gives us his technical advice we'll open it up to the private sector to come and tender for it," Alhaji Amidu told Bernard Nasara Saibu, host of the Super Morning Show of Joy FM, Thursday.

The 19-kilometre highway that links Tema to the nation's capital, Accra, has not seen any major renovation works at least over the last decade. A major bridge on the highway caved in Wednesday resulting in heavy vehicular jam.

The Ghana Highway Authority on Thursday announced closure of part of the bridge to allow engineers to do repair works on it.  

The Minister assured the travelling public of plans to rehabilitate the road under a public-private-partnership as a priority project.

"We are programming to rehabilitate the motorway and increase the speed lane to three on either side...The motorway certainly is a priority but ...[it] is beyond the public sector alone, so that's why we are bring private sector..."

He said although his Ministry was not provided any funding for rehabilitation works on the highway this year, the GHA will do its best to keep in good condition " for the safety of the motorists".

"Currently, I'm not giving any money on the [2014] budget now to rehabilitate the motorway," Alhaji Aminu stated.