Story by John Nhandara

THE Mbudzi Traffic Interchange Project is progressing well, with six out of the 15 bridges being constructed having been completed.

The Mbudzi Traffic Interchange is more than halfway through, with most concrete structures such as bridges now at various stages of completion as attention shifts to earthworks.

This emerged during a media tour of the project this Monday.

Fossil Contracting head of operations Engineer Kudakwashe Maguta said, “Of the 15 bridges 13 are on the interchange and 2 are offsite bridges. That is on Amalinda and Harare Drive. Six of the bridges on the interchange have been completed.

All the other bridges are at an advanced stage of completion most of them above 60%. We have done most of the concrete structures and now starting to pour the decks. For all our concrete structures, progress is at 70% complete.”

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Honourable Felix Mhona said the signature project reflects the Second Republic’s commitment to modernising the country’s road infrastructure.

“The President has said we need to execute the project with speed and with this progress by July we would have completed the project. There is huge progress.”

The project has enticed the community and Greater Harare residents.

“We are happy with what we are witnessing here and we are proud as Zimbabweans,” said a Harare resident.

“This will bring convenience at this previously congested area,” said another resident.

The traffic interchange will enable a seamless flow of traffic and reduce transit time and accidents previously witnessed at the busy intersection.

Meanwhile, the government has so far forked out close to US$15 million for the compensation of property owners who were affected by the traffic interchange project.

42 out of the affected 52 property owners have so far been compensated.