Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba-Senior Reporter
THE rehabilitation of Alpes Road in northern Harare has reached a major milestone, with 11,6 kilometres of the 17km stretch now open to traffic.
Government has assured residents and motorists that the remaining 5,3km will be completed within the next four weeks.
The project, being implemented by the Central Mechanical and Equipment Department (CMED) under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme 2 (ERRP2), is part of Government’s broader effort to modernise Harare’s road network following years of neglect by the City of Harare.
The first 8km of Alpes Road — which runs from Churchill Road to Hatcliffe Extension — was completed in September 2023.
The newly opened section, which extends from the Geo Pomona Waste Management site, adds to the progress already achieved.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona officially opened the upgraded section yesterday, alongside Harare Metropolitan Province Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Senator Charles Tawengwa, Mbire legislator David Butau representing the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport chairperson, and CMED managing director Engineer Davison Mhaka.
Minister Mhona said the road would ease congestion on Liberation Legacy Way (formerly Borrowdale Road), improve accessibility for emergency services, and support economic activity in surrounding suburbs.
“The idea behind rehabilitating major roads is to decongest traffic,” he said.
“Borrowdale Road has been a bottleneck for years, with no viable alternative route.
“Alpes Road provides a crucial bypass and will also serve tourism and business hubs such as Wild Geese and the Geo Pomona Waste Management site.
“This project is part of our broader vision under the wise leadership of His Excellency, President Mnangagwa, to deliver roads that decongest traffic and support development,” he said.
The Minister said Liberation Legacy Way itself would soon be expanded.
“From Borrowdale Police Station, we will be having six lanes,” said Minister Mhona.
“Six lanes from Churchill Road and all the way to Domboshava where we are going to be having four lanes.
“And it’s also going to lead to the cemetery where we are talking of Glen Forest and also servicing Zimbabwe Open University campus — their offices in Hatcliffe — and to the community of Hatcliffe.
“Not only that, we are also going to cut across Hatcliffe, rehabilitating some of the dust roads that have been giving problems to the citizenry.”
Senator Tawengwa said the project was a game-changer for Harare’s economy.
“The previous state of Alpes Road hindered commerce and cost businesses customers. Revitalising this route reduces travel time, improves access to markets, and acts as a catalyst for economic growth. But this is not the end — it is just one step in transforming Harare into a world-class metropolis,” he said.
Eng Mhaka said the CMED had rehabilitated about 15 roads in Harare so far, with Alpes Road among the most critical.
“This road stretches from Churchill Road and it goes as far as Glen Forest. Its 16,9 km and so far, what we have done, in total its 11,6 km and we are left with 5,3km which we expect to complete within the next four weeks. This is a very critical road in that we have people from Domboshava, Hatcliffe and other areas who pass through this road to the city centre,” he said.
To date, more than 55 roads in Harare have been rehabilitated or reconstructed under ERRP2, with Alpes Road standing out as one of the flagship projects.
