Story by John Nhandara
MORE than 540 kilometres of the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway have now been rehabilitated and opened to traffic, with the commissioning of the new Manyame River Bridge marking the latest milestone in the ongoing upgrade programme.
Traffic began flowing across the bridge near Skyline Tollgate this Monday following the completion of construction works, further easing movement along the busy North-South Corridor.
The bridge forms part of the broader Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway Rehabilitation Project and the 36-kilometre dualisation stretch from the Charter Grade area to Harare’s Central Business District, enhancing efficiency for both motorists and commercial transporters.
“This is testimony that the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP) is moving towards the right direction. It will bring convenience to us as motorists and reduce transit times for transporters,” a motorist said.
Project engineers highlighted the durability of the structure, noting its advanced design.
“We use special technology to come up with the structure. Support for the bridge deck, which is 110 metres. The bridge has a design life span of 100 years,” said contractor Engineer Benjamin Bara.
Mashonaland East Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Itayi Ndudzo, said the project will have a positive impact on the province, citing ongoing roadworks in the area.
“This project will benefit our province. We are elated that we already have other ongoing projects in the province, for example, contractors on site doing the Wedza Road. Work is also progressing on the Murewa-Cheche Road. We have the privilege of having two interchanges leased to our province.”
Giving reference to the new infrastructure and how it will significantly improve transit efficiency for motorists and commercial transporters, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Honourable Felix Mhona, reiterated the scope of the ongoing ERRP.
“We are moving beyond basic maintenance toward a comprehensive transformation of the country’s primary trade corridors. This is a new bridge, and there are several other ongoing projects across the country,” he said.
The successful execution of the project is not by mere coincidence, as President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa has laid down the foundational framework for infrastructural development across the country.
With over 540 kilometres of the 582-kilometre Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway now upgraded and opened to traffic, Government has already shifted its attention to rehabilitating other critical arteries such as the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway and the Harare-Kanyemba Highway.
These developments come after Government extended the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme up to the end of this year.
