Story by Mercy Bofu-Matinha
WORKS on the outstanding sections of the Harare-Beitbridge Highway have resumed, with contractors currently on the ground to complete the 580-kilometre flagship project.
With only 88 kilometres left for the completion of the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Road, contractors are currently working round the clock to ensure completion of the outstanding stretches.
Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Honourable Ezra Chadzamira and his team visited the areas being worked on by contractors this Thursday to appreciate the scope of the work left.
Contractors who include, Masimba Holdings, Exodus and Company, Fossil Contracting and Bitumen World indicated works are progressing well, with expectations the remaining sections will be completed between August and December this year.
“We are currently working on a 27km stretch and so far, we have covered 45 percent of the works to be done. We expect to complete our stretch in the next three months,” Engineer Takudzwa Mposiwa of Masimba Holdings noted.
As work resumes at full scale, anticipation is growing among road users and businesses who expressed gratitude to government for its commitment to ensure completion of the project.
“The construction of Mucheke Bridge was long overdue given the challenges of traffic congestion during peak hours. However, with the work that is being done, we are convinced very soon the project will be completed,” a motorist said.
Honourable Chadzamira said the development will improve trafficability and boost economic connectivity.
“As a province, we are happy that work has been resumed along the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge road. Our province was the most affected and we thank the government through the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development for showing commitment to complete this flagship project. All our contractors are on site with construction works underway. They indicated that between August and December, the whole project is likely to be complete.”
The Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway is one of the signature projects undertaken by the Second Republic and it’s completion is key in linking Zimbabwe and the SADC region.
