Freeman Razemba in Matabeleland North
THE construction of the 240-kilometre Kwekwe-Nkayi-Lupane Highway, a strategic route expected to reduce travel distances, cut logistics costs and strengthen economic activities, is making significant progress with more than 10km having been completed and open to traffic.
The Lupane–Nkayi–Kwekwe road, currently under construction by Road Trackers Construction under a public-private partnership (PPPs) arrangement, is expected to reduce the distance from Harare to Victoria Falls by 170 kilometres.
Motorists will turn off from Kwekwe instead of passing through Bulawayo, cutting travel time.
The project is scheduled for completion within five years. Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Advocate Felix Mhona this Friday led a delegation on a tour of the road where he addressed the media on the developments made so far.
The completed stretch, from Lupane towards Nkayi, so far has road markings as well as road signs.
Minister Mhona also outlined the advantages of using the road once it has been completed.
The new Kwekwe-Nkayi-Lupane route will have also have two toll plazas that will be constructed.
During a recent media tour, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Engineer Joy Makumbe, also emphasised the Government’s commitment to quality, sustainable infrastructure and the importance of leveraging public-private partnerships (PPPs) to accelerate national development.
The project is being implemented under a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) arrangement, a model that allows private investors to finance, construct and operate infrastructure before transferring it to Government after an agreed period.
Besides the highway itself, the project will include supporting infrastructure such as toll plazas and weighbridges to improve road management, generate revenue and curb vehicle overloading.
The development is also expected to create employment opportunities while strengthening local engineering and technical expertise.
