Story by John Nhandara
MORE than 500 kilometres of the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Road have been opened to traffic under the ongoing rehabilitation project, with the remaining 72 kilometres expected to be completed during the first quarter of next year.
Contractors working on the remaining sections have intensified efforts to ensure the strategic highway is fully completed within the shortest possible time.
The rehabilitation and upgrading of the busy trunk road has significantly reduced transit times for both commercial and private vehicles, improving connectivity between major cities and regional trade routes.
Motorists expressed satisfaction with the progress, noting that the improved sections have made travelling faster and safer.
“The greater part of the road has been upgraded, and it has helped us as motorists to quickly connect with other routes.
“This is great work under the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
“If the remaining sections are completed, this road will become one of the best in the region,” motorists said.
Work is currently focused on sections around Nyanda Hill and Chivi, which are among the last to be completed.
Engineer Marlvin Mumemo of Masimba Holdings said their final 20-kilometre phase has been opened to traffic, including a five-kilometre dual carriageway.
“We have done 118 kilometres out of 140. We are left with 22 kilometres, of which 4.6 kilometres are now being surfaced and will be done by the end of October. By year-end, we will have completed 10 kilometres, leaving only 12 kilometres,” he said.
Engineer Ronald Kasu of Bitumen World highlighted ongoing dualisation works at Ngundu.
“We are working on a 15-kilometre section which we are dualising. Currently, we are at the stabilisation stage on 8.5 kilometres,” he said.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Engineer Joy Makumbe, said the government remains committed to completing the road before the rainy season.
“Most of these contractors are pushing to ensure that, before the rainfall season starts, the bulk of the remaining kilometres are done. Each contractor will be left with about 10 kilometres to complete early next year,” she said.
Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Hon. Joshua Sacco, said the project is critical for regional trade.
“The road links us to our trading partners in the region, such as South Africa and other SADC member states, so it’s important that we complete it,” he said.
The Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Road Rehabilitation Project is part of the government’s broader drive to modernise national trunk routes, enhance connectivity, and facilitate regional trade. Similar projects are also underway on the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road.
