Lobengula Street roadworks in full swing

📅 Published: August 15, 2025

📰 Source: businessweekly

Curated by AllZimNews.com

Bulawayo, once renowned for its well-maintained roads, has in recent years struggled to cope with road repairs due to ageing infrastructure, inadequate maintenance funding and damage caused by heavy rains.

The council has said it needs at least US$15 million to fund the rehabilitation of the city’s road network.

Work to rehabilitate the badly damaged Third Avenue/ Lobengula Street intersection started this month, with BCC teams excavating part of Lobengula Street to replace blocked storm drainage pipes.

The Mayor Councillor David Coltart said the faulty culvert pipes had contributed to the road’s deterioration. “We acknowledge the condition of Third Avenue as one approaches the intersection with Lobengula Street.

The road pavement in this area has deteriorated due to wastewater issues and recent rains, which are not draining properly through the culvert pipe crossing Lobengula Street,” he said. “To address this problem, we need to improve the storm-water drainage system on Lobengula Street between Third Avenue and Sixth Avenue, which will require a complete reconstruction of the road. ” A culvert pipe allows water to pass under roads and is vital in preventing flooding and road damage.

BCC said the project, which will take about 30 weeks, includes pothole patching, pavement reconstruction, overlays, drainage upgrades and carriageway marking.

Rehabilitation works on Lobengula Street in the Bulawayo CBD “The City of Bulawayo would like to advise members of the motoring public of the proposed Lobengula Street Improvement Works, between Third Avenue and 6th Avenue, approximately 800 metres,” said BCC in a public notice. “Once completed, these works will prolong the life of the carriageway and improve road safety and ride quality.

Every effort has been made to ensure disruption to traffic, businesses, and residents is kept to a minimum. ” BCC has apologised for the disruption and promised to minimise inconvenience to traffic and nearby businesses.

When a Zimpapers news crew visited the site yesterday, work was in full swing with BCC construction teams busy digging up the drainage pipes to be replaced.

Motorists and residents had raised concerns over the deteriorating state of the Lobengula Street and Third Avenue intersection.

In interviews, kombi drivers and residents welcomed the rehabilitation, saying it was long overdue. “Driving into Lobengula Street had become a nightmare.

Now traffic is diverted before McKeurtan Primary School,” said Mr Earnest Moyo.