Story by John Nhandara
THE newly completed Mucheke River Bridge has officially opened to traffic, marking a major milestone in the ongoing construction of the Masvingo Trumpet Interchange and the broader Harare–Masvingo–Beitbridge highway rehabilitation project.
The bridge is a key component of the Masvingo urban bypass and serves as a critical link along the busy North-South Corridor connecting Harare to the Beitbridge Border Post.
For years, the previous crossing was a notorious bottleneck, with heavy freight traffic competing with private vehicles for limited road space, often causing severe congestion stretching as far as Masvingo Polytechnic.
With the opening of the new bridge, that long-standing challenge is expected to be significantly reduced.
Residents and transport operators have welcomed the development, saying it will greatly improve traffic flow and ease travel along one of Zimbabwe’s busiest highways.
“We are excited that the new bridge has been completed. Traffic will now flow smoothly,” said one resident.
A transport operator added: “Congestion was the order of the day here, but we are grateful to Government for this project.”
Chief Executive Officer of Masimba Holdings, Engineer Fungai Matahwa said the bridge was specifically designed to handle the high volume of freight traffic along the corridor.
“The bridge forms a core part of the Masvingo urban bypass, which will allow for the separation of traffic,” he said.
Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Ezra Chadzamira said the project will boost trade efficiency, reduce transport costs and unlock new economic opportunities for the province.
“It will improve urban mobility and facilitate the easier movement of agricultural produce, goods and visitors,” he said.
Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Honourable Felix Mhona, said the project reflects Government’s commitment to improving national connectivity through modern road infrastructure.
He added that works on the proposed Chilonga Bridge are also advancing, with the project currently at the design stage.
The Mucheke Bridge opening follows the recent commissioning of the Manyame River Bridge along the same highway.
To date, more than 540 kilometres of the 582-kilometre Harare–Masvingo–Beitbridge highway have been rehabilitated and reopened to traffic.
