Zimbabwe News Update
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Online ReporterCONTRACTORS working on the rehabilitation of the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Road are expected to start opening completed sections to traffic as the project gains momentum.The road is a critical trade and tourism artery linking Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia and Botswana.Initially, five contractors — Fossil Contracting, Masimba Construction, Syvern Investment, Bitumen Resources and Tensor Systems — were awarded contracts to rehabilitate sections of the 440-kilometre stretch.However, the Government recently added three more contractors for Lots 6, 7 and 8, covering the final approaches to Victoria Falls, to fast-track completion.On Wednesday, a newly rehabilitated five-kilometre section in Insuza, Umguza district, was opened to traffic.The section was reconstructed by Syvern Construction.The Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Road serves as a key route for regional trade and tourism, connecting southern Zimbabwe to the Kazungula Bridge and the wider SADC transport network.For years, motorists, truckers and tourists travelling to Victoria Falls — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s premier destinations — have endured long, difficult journeys due to pothole-riddled and narrow stretches of the highway.The rehabilitation work, expected to take about 10 months, aims to restore the route to world-class standards that support the free flow of goods, tourism traffic and regional economic integration.Matabeleland North provincial roads engineer Xolani Ncube said all eight contractors are still within their 10-month project timeline and have made noticeable progress.“Initially five contractors had been awarded contracts and the Government later added another three,” he said.“Three of the contractors are currently doing stabilisation work on their respective five-kilometre stretches, and in the next two weeks, we also expect them to open sections of the road to traffic.”Eng Ncube explained that the Government has adopted a “kilometre-by-kilometre” approach, meaning contractors progressively open completed sections to motorists while continuing work further along the route.“Opening completed stretches also helps harden the surface before final road markings and allows the easier movement of goods and passengers,” he said.Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development Engineer Joy Makumbe said the approaching rainy season would not significantly disrupt the project.“The approaching rainy season is a key consideration in our national infrastructure planning.
While weather conditions can pose challenges, contractors are prepared to continue with critical works where it is safe and technically feasible,” she said.Truck driver Mr Enoch Hove, who frequently travels the route, said the progress was encouraging.“It would be good for motorists if contractors opened at least 25 kilometres of good road every month. In six months, a lot of ground would have been covered,” he said.The Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Road rehabilitation is part of the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP II), launched by the Government to modernise national transport infrastructure.The programme has seen major works on highways such as Harare–Beitbridge, Harare–Chirundu, Mutare–Harare and key feeder roads in all provinces.Leave a ReplyCancel reply
Online ReporterCONTRACTORS working on the rehabilitation of the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Road are expected to start opening completed sections to traffic as the project gains momentum.The road is a critical trade and tourism artery linking Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia and Botswana.Initially, five contractors — Fossil Contracting, Masimba Construction, Syvern Investment, Bitumen Resources and Tensor Systems — were awarded contracts to rehabilitate sections of the 440-kilometre stretch.However, the Government recently added three more contractors for Lots 6, 7 and 8, covering the final approaches to Victoria Falls, to fast-track completion.On Wednesday, a newly rehabilitated five-kilometre section in Insuza, Umguza district, was opened to traffic.The section was reconstructed by Syvern Construction.The Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Road serves as a key route for regional trade and tourism, connecting southern Zimbabwe to the Kazungula Bridge and the wider SADC transport network.For years, motorists, truckers and tourists travelling to Victoria Falls — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s premier destinations — have endured long, difficult journeys due to pothole-riddled and narrow stretches of the highway.The rehabilitation work, expected to take about 10 months, aims to restore the route to world-class standards that support the free flow of goods, tourism traffic and regional economic integration.Matabeleland North provincial roads engineer Xolani Ncube said all eight contractors are still within their 10-month project timeline and have made noticeable progress.“Initially five contractors had been awarded contracts and the Government later added another three,” he said.“Three of the contractors are currently doing stabilisation work on their respective five-kilometre stretches, and in the next two weeks, we also expect them to open sections of the road to traffic.”Eng Ncube explained that the Government has adopted a “kilometre-by-kilometre” approach, meaning contractors progressively open completed sections to motorists while continuing work further along the route.“Opening completed stretches also helps harden the surface before final road markings and allows the easier movement of goods and passengers,” he said.Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development Engineer Joy Makumbe said the approaching rainy season would not significantly disrupt the project.“The approaching rainy season is a key consideration in our national infrastructure planning.
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