Story by John Nhandara
THE Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP) continues to transform the country’s road network, with several intra-city and trunk roads being restored.
Reconstruction works on Lorraine Drive, from Harare Drive to the Westgate roundabout, have now been completed and the road has been opened to traffic.
Motorists say the development is expected to ease congestion on some of the capital’s busy routes.
“This will help decongest Lomagundi Road. It will also ensure we have safer roads which are up to standard, hence we are happy, and this is a reflection of the nyika inovakwa nevene vayo mantra,” said a motorist.
The upgraded road is also expected to handle heavy traffic typical of the north-western industrial and residential corridors.
“We have been told this road was built in a manner that it will handle heavy loads,” said Senator Charles Tavengwa, Harare Metropolitan Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution.
City authorities have also welcomed the development.
“We applaud what the Government is doing through the Ministry of Transport in ensuring Harare is trafficable,” said Councillor Jacob Mafume, the Mayor of Harare.
According to Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Honourable Felix Mhona, the country’s road network is being rehabilitated under the same model.
“We have a road network of over 90 000 kilometres, and we are trying to ensure that all roads which are in bad shape receive a facelift. Vision 2030 can only be achieved if we have sound infrastructure.”
Several road rehabilitation projects are also underway under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme in other provinces, including Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South.
Roads such as Gwanda-Maphisa, Bulawayo-Kezi-Maphisa, and the Bulawayo-Nkayi Road are currently undergoing rehabilitation.
