Story by Gay Matambo
THE ongoing rehabilitation of key roads in Chiredzi has been met with optimism from residents and motorists, as Government’s infrastructure development agenda continues to advance across the country.
Work is currently underway on the 4.5-kilometre Inyathi Road, a critical link between Chiredzi town and the Hippo Valley sugarcane estates. The route, long affected by potholes and general deterioration, had become increasingly difficult for motorists, many of whom were forced to divert to out-of-town roads to avoid vehicle damage and delays.
Local motorists say the improvement could not have come at a better time.
“The road was bad and it was difficult to drive into the CBD using this road, such that motorists were resorting to using other roads, which are out of town. We welcome this development in our town,” a motorist said.
“It was not a good sight having potholes on a road that is of economic value to the town, but we appreciate what the council is doing. After this stretch is completed, it means we will be driving into town without any challenges and no more potholes, which were a nightmare in this rain season,” another added.
The ongoing rehabilitation involves earthworks and priming of the road with the first phase of the project expected to be completed in the shortest possible time.
“The phase will see us rehabilitating the first 500 metres, which is 22 metres wide. It is going to be a dual lane, and we will do a double seal. We are currently doing earthworks, where we are rehabilitating the base layer. We expect to be done in two to three days, then we prime, and then we do the double sealing. We want to open the stretch to traffic as soon as we are done,” Chiredzi Town Council Acting Director of Works, Engineer Irvine Muteyaunga said.
The local authority is undertaking the project using funds from the Zimbabwe National Roads Authority (ZINARA).
“We are the implementing agents and funds are from ZINARA. We are trying to improve traffic flow in the CBD. The road links the CBD to the main road, Ngundu-Tanganda highway, hence, it is prudent for us to do rehabilitation of the road, starting with the first 0.5 km in the CBD,” Chiredzi Town Council Acting Town Secretary, Mr Consider Kubiku noted.
The successful completion of the phase of the Inyathi Road project is expected to set a precedent for further infrastructure development in Chiredzi.
