| dc.description.abstract | As West Africa invests in highway systems, the question arises as to why the
highways built in West Africa do not perform and have not provided the successes similar to the highways constructed in other developing countries or regions of the world. The West African nations should come together to create an integrated regional
highway system which will benefit the region. Currently, few individual nations within the
West African region claim economic prosperity as a result of their transportation system,
such as Ghana and Nigeria. These nations attribute their economic success to a good
highway network as well as an abundance of natural resources. Past political differences and colonial boundaries created had led to political conflicts. It is time now to help West Africa create the internal transportation network needed to promote trade within the region. The review of materials will provide a summary of the major themes and fundamental issues and challenges of the current regional, or interstate, highway system. They are: Development Initiatives, Ease of Travel, Commerce Impediment, Economic Growth, Roadway Safety, Road Transport Cost, Funding and International Commitment. The findings show that the US Federal Highway Act actually cost $450 billion in 2006 dollars (adjusted for inflation). This resulted in a cost of about $2,000 per linear foot of highway using 2006 dollars compared to the cost of about $140 per linear foot of highway spending plan proposed by the World Bank’s Development Research Group in 2006 for a highway network linking all Sub-Saharan capitals on the African continent. For the continued development of a successfully integrated interstate highway transportation system in West Africa, the missing links need to be connected. The West African governments need to be more committed to invest in an integrated interstate highway network to facilitate the economic growth necessary to alleviate poverty. | |
