Story by John Nhandara
THE Government has resumed civil works on the remaining parts of the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge highway, which is one of the signature projects of the Second Republic under the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
A total of 493 out of the 580 kilometres has so far been rehabilitated and is now open to traffic as progress continues on one of Zimbabwe’s major road infrastructure projects.
Focus is now on upgrading the remaining 87 kilometres of the road, with the completion of the project set to be a huge economic boost to the nation, while also giving the government an opportunity to devote more attention to other road projects including the Beitbridge – Bulawayo – Victoria Falls highway.
“Of the 580 kilometres, we have a balance of 87 kilometres, we will be able to complete the rehabilitation of the entire road by the end of August except for a few bridges as we quite have a number of bridges and interchanges along the road. We are working on the construction of a road over rail in Beitbridge. We also have another road over rail in Mvuma,” the Director of Roads under the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Engineer Jarawani Kangara said.
Part of the ongoing works include the dualisation of a 7.5-kilometre stretch from Houghton Park towards the Harare Central Business District.
“We have already started the dualisation and upgrading of the road from Houghton Park up to Julius Nyerere Way. The works have already resumed, we are also rehabilitating the surrounding roads because they will be used as diversion routes,” Engineer Kangara added.
The ongoing project has been met with widespread approval from both motorists and residents anticipating significant improvements in connectivity and easier access to destinations and services.
“This is a welcome development and a testimony of our government’s appetite to improving our roads,” a resident said.
“This is a welcome development as it will go a long way in easing congestion in this area,” a motorist added.
Other ongoing works which are part of the Harare Masvingo Beitbridge road rehabilitation project include the Trabablas Interchange project where significant progress has also been recorded.
