Story by Fungai Jachi
ANOTHER stretch on the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge highway has been opened to traffic, with the government moving with speed to ensure completion of one of its signature projects.
A clearly marked road, wide enough for haulage trucks which frequent the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway to move with ease.
The workmanship on this road is more than just an engineering craft; it is a statement of intent by the Second Republic to enhance trade within the SADC region and beyond, ease the flow of traffic and improve safety for road users.
This major highway, one of the Second Republic’s signature projects, has become a delight to motorists and highway vendors.
“Using this road is now exciting because we deliver goods on time and even our vehicles remain in good shape,
“Now we are taking about one and a half hours to get to Beitbridge, unlike before,
“We really appreciate what the government is doing because even those from other countries can now come by road to conduct business,Drivers said.
“Since the road was rehabilitated, now we have safe spaces to sell our wares because it is well-marked and there are properly designated bus stops,
“Business is even better now because cars now have proper bays to park as they buy from us,” vendors said.
There are about 34 km remaining to complete this major highway and contractors are working throughout the day to ensure they complete the remaining kilometres timeously.
The 54 kilometre Ngundu-Rutenga stretch is one such area which is yet to be completed, with the contractor confirming that less than three kilometres remain to see the completion of this stretch.
“We are doing earthworks on this part because this is a reconstruction of the road we had anticipated to have been done by now, but the rains have delayed our work. We are left with about 2.7 kilometres to complete this stretch. We are working flat out to ensure we complete as soon as possible and open this road to traffic. Maybe around May, we will be done if the rains do not continue,” Exodus and Company, Foreman, Mr Timothy Liba said.
Step by step, kilometre by kilometre, the 585-kilometre Harare- Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway is nearing completion, proving the government’s intention to improve the road network as a catalyst for development.
