Mhona Provides Extensive Update on Road Infrastruc...

Mhona Provides Extensive Update on Road Infrastructure Projects

Transport Minister Felix Mhona

By Nyashadzashe Ndoro

Chief Reporter

The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Felix Mhona, on Thursday delivered a comprehensive ministerial statement to the Senate outlining significant progress and future plans for Zimbabwe's road network.

The update addressed ongoing projects, funding challenges, and specific initiatives aimed at enhancing the nation's transportation infrastructure.

Minister Mhona cited the Ministry's commitment to improving road networks as a crucial driver for economic development, aligning with the National Development Strategy 1 and Vision 2030 targets.

These targets aim to increase the proportion of road networks meeting Southern Africa Transport and Commission Standards from 5% to 10% by 2025, and to expand the length of roads in good condition from 14,702 km to 24,500 km within the same timeframe. The Minister highlighted the optimal use of local resources and contractors in these endeavors.

Funding and Resource Allocation

The Minister acknowledged the constraints of a fixed national fiscal envelope, noting that the Ministry's ability to undertake projects across the country is limited by competition for resources from other sectors. He expressed gratitude to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructural Development for their advocacy in securing allocations, but reiterated that Parliament ultimately determines the budget. Mhona also mentioned the Ministry's efforts to explore Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and concessionary loans to supplement funding.

Key Road Projects Underway and Planned:

Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road:

Recognised as a vital regional trunk road, its condition has deteriorated due to exceeding its design life and increased traffic. Bitumen World was contracted in 2023 for emergency repairs on approximately 60 km and pothole patching. Additional contractors are expected to complete emergency works within 10 months. For the long term, a partnership with Bitumen World, approved by Cabinet in October 2024, will finance, upgrade, and maintain the entire Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road through a triple fee arrangement, with feasibility studies currently in progress.

Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge (North-South Corridor):

This critical corridor connecting South Africa to Harare has seen 492.9 km completed, with 87.1 km remaining. Works have resumed and are slated for completion by December 31, 2025. Key interchanges along this corridor, including Trabablas Interchange, Masvingo-Glenora Loop, Harare Drive-Missing Link, and Amalinda Road and Bridge, were completed and opened in 2024. President Emmerso Mnangagwa is scheduled to commission this significant project on May 30, 2025.

Greater Harare Roads Rehabilitation Programme:

The Minister briefly referenced the swift rehabilitation of roads like Old Mazowe Road and Boulevard Road, leading to the new Parliament building.

Provincial Projects:

Numerous projects are underway across all provinces, including Golden Valley-Sanyathi Road (Mashonaland West), Domboshava Road (Mashonaland East), St. Albert's-Ruya-Mukumbura (Mashonaland Central), Mutare-Masvingo Road Reseal (Masvingo), Bulawayo-Nkayi (Matabeleland North), Bulawayo-Kezi (Matabeleland South), Chipinge-Mt. Selinda (Manicaland), Kwekwe-Gokwe-Siabuwa (Midlands), and various roads in Harare Metropolitan like Tongogara Asphalt Reconstruction and Fifth Street.

Harare-Chirundu Road Project:

As a continuation of the North-South Corridor, this road connecting Harare to Zambia is undergoing maintenance. Main works, including upgrading, widening, and dualization of sections, are targeted to commence in the first quarter of 2026, with an 18-month construction period aiming for completion by mid-2027.

Harare-Nyamapanda Road and Border Post:

The government has engaged a partner to finance, upgrade, and maintain this road, which links Zimbabwe to East Africa, for a period of 25 years.

Border Post Modernisation:

PPPs have been established for the upgrade and modernisation of Chirundu Border Post (already a one-stop border post) and Forbes Border Post (along the Beira Corridor). Works at Forbes are set to begin by year-end and conclude by the end of 2027.

J.M. Nkomo Road (Airport Road Link):

This project includes upgrading existing roads and a one-kilometer-long viaduct (elevated road) that will connect to the E. D. Mnangagwa intersection and gravitate towards Glen Norah. Construction is set to begin in the last quarter of 2025 and finish by December 2026.

Christmas Pass Bypass:

This 31.2 km project in Manicaland aims to improve road infrastructure, safety, and asset management. Works are scheduled to start by the end of the third quarter of 2025 and be completed by the end of 2026.

Kwekwe-Nkayi Lupane Road and Bulawayo-Nkayi Road:

These projects will connect Midlands, Matabeleland, and North Province, reducing travel distance between Harare and Victoria Falls by 200 km. Construction is planned to start in the third quarter of 2025 and conclude in 2030.

Harare-Kanyemba Road and Kanyemba Border Post:

This 357 km road project began in February 2024 with a five-year construction period, including the border post, and is expected to be completed in 2029.

Harare Interchanges and Liberation Legacy Way:

Four new interchanges and the upgrading of the 17 km Liberation Legacy Way, along with rehabilitation of 70 km of city-wide roads in Harare, will be implemented in two phases over two years, commencing this year.

Mbudzi Interchange Cost Justification

During the session, Senator Sengezo Tshabangu raised a question regarding the cost of the Mbudzi Interchange, citing a figure of US$88 million and comparing it unfavorably to a larger interchange in South Africa costing US$77 million.

Minister Mhona addressed these concerns, attributing the higher costs in Zimbabwe to several factors. He highlighted the impact of sanctions on the cost of materials, citing a bag of cement as an example.

He further explained that the Mbudzi Interchange project involved significant associated costs beyond the direct construction of the interchange itself. These included compensating over 50 property owners whose dwellings were situated on the site, as well as the construction of extensive diversion routes that are now part of the overall road network. The Minister also noted the depth of civil works involved, with construction going up to 11 meters deep in some areas. He clarified that the project is financed through a loan facility, which eases the immediate burden on the national treasury.

Mhona reiterated the Ministry's dedication to enhancing Zimbabwe's road network, expressing confidence that these projects will significantly contribute to the country's economic growth and development. He encouraged citizens to appreciate the ongoing national efforts in infrastructure development.

“It is my humble plea again to the people of Zimbabwe today, that let us start appreciating what we are doing as a nation,” Mhona stated.