Story by Fungai Jachi
MOTORISTS and the commuting public who use the Harare-Mazowe Road have described the government’s drive to modernise road infrastructure as a game changer in road safety.
The dualisation of the road is taking shape, with construction works expected to be completed by the end of this year.
The development is seen as a major step towards safer travel, smoother traffic flow and economic growth for Mashonaland Central Province.
Motorists are hopeful sanity will be restored on the road once it is completed, while appreciating the speed at which the construction works are proceeding.
“It used to take a long time to get to Harare, but now it will be easier because of the dualisation,” a motorist said.
“This development is impressive because this road can be congested since it is a busy road. I am sure now that it is being dualised, it will be easier.
“It used to be expensive to plie this route, but now it is cheaper, we are paying a dollar to go to Harare, yet we used to pay two to three dollars.
“Accidents were a major concern but since it will be a big road now it will be safer.”
The contractor is equally determined to complete the project within the set timelines.
“Currently, we are working on the second section of the Harare-Mazowe Road from the New Parliament access road to Blueridge. The plan is to be done by December and the parallel will be working continuously into Mazowe and those works will be completed in September next year. We have ensured that we construct a durable road which will last for about 15 years without any potholes if maintained well,” Exodus and Company’s Project Director, Engineer Alex Mashangu noted.
The Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Honourable Joshua Sacco, who was on an assessment tour of the project this Tuesday, was impressed by the quality of work.
“We are happy with the work we have seen here because what we want are durable roads, and we have confidence in our local contractors. This road is a key project as it allows trade with Zambia and the DRC. After these works, we will be continuing until we reach Kanyemba.”
The Zimbabwe National Road Authority Board Chairperson, Dr George Manyaya, said disbursement of funds will continue to ensure continuity in road rehabilitation.
“So far, we have disbursed 6.1 billion ZiG for road works across the country and funds are still there for works to continue as we move ahead to fulfil our mandate of funding road works.”
The government is continuing with construction and rehabilitation of the country’s roads and now more than 50 000 kilometres of roads have been rehabilitated and reconstructed while at least 2 000 structures have been attended to since the beginning of the second phase of the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme.
