Story by John Nhandara
CONSTRUCTION of the Masvingo Trumpet Interchange is gathering pace, with the project expected to transform Masvingo into a modern urban gateway.
The Mucheke Bridge, a key component of the project, is nearing completion, bringing relief to motorists and the public on this high-traffic route.
“We are witnessing remarkable progress in this project which will transform our city,” said one resident.
“This is commendable on the part of government because we have seen the success of similar projects before,” another added.
“It’s a game-changer for our city after the success of the Trabablas,” a third resident remarked.
The scope of the project includes the construction of a bypass and a Trumpet Interchange to improve traffic flow.
“We have two bridges at Chimusana and a trumpet structure which we call the Masvingo Trabablas. Works on the Mucheke River Bridge are at an advanced stage, currently at 88 percent completion,” said Engineer Marlvin Munemo, the contractor overseeing the project.
The government is confident that the project, which forms part of the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Road Rehabilitation Project, will enhance the flow of regional traffic along the vital North-South Corridor.
“We have been talking about the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge road, but we need to appreciate the structures that link the road. This bridge has also been widened to improve connectivity,” said Engineer Joy Makumbe, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development.
Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Hon Joshua Sacco, emphasised the strategic importance of the corridor, “The North-South Corridor is very important to us as a nation. The movement of traffic from South Africa through Zimbabwe to the north and vice versa is critical. In Masvingo, we are working on a mini interchange where international traffic, or traffic wanting to avoid Masvingo town, can go through a bypass.”
The Masvingo Trumpet Interchange Project is part of a broader national effort to modernize Zimbabwe’s road network and is expected to improve traffic flow while reducing congestion.
