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Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Writer
GOVERNMENT says works on the strategic Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway remain firmly on track for completion this year despite temporary slowdowns caused by persistent rains that have affected major construction activities.
The rehabilitation of the 440-kilometre corridor — a key link between Zimbabwe’s tourism capital and the rest of the country — has slowed down in recent weeks owing to heavy downpours that forced contractors to scale down large-scale works and focus on preparatory and palliative activities.
All eight contractors deployed by the Government to work on the road have since been remobilised following the festive season break and are on site, carrying out pothole patching and material stockpiling while closely monitoring weather conditions.
Matabeleland North Provincial Roads Engineer Xolani Ncube, said the rains had limited the scope of works that could safely be undertaken at this stage.
“At the moment contractors have come back to site, but most of them are doing pothole patching. With these incessant rains, the contractors will continue monitoring the situation,” said Eng Ncube.
“We are waiting for conditions to improve so that full-scale operations can resume. Once it stops raining, contractors will immediately return to major construction works.”
Contractors on the ground confirmed that, although the weather has stalled some activities, the project has not ground to a halt.
Masimba Holdings Limited chief executive officer Engineer Fungai Matahwa said his team was using the rain period productively.
“We are busy stockpiling gravel to commence construction works when the rains stop. We are also carrying out pothole patching to maintain trafficability along the highway,” he said.
Eng Kudakwashe Maguta of Fossil Contracting said his team was similarly focusing on pothole patching while closely following forecasts from the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) to guide planning.
Syvern Contractors managing director, Eng Silven Chisewe Musara, said sustained rainfall makes it difficult to undertake major road works, but expressed optimism that the situation will improve soon to allow contractors to recover lost time.
“When it is raining, major construction works cannot be done. We are hopeful that once the rains stop, we will accelerate and reclaim the lost ground,” he said.
Despite the weather-related challenges, tangible progress continues to be recorded on the ground. Two weeks ago, a newly completed five-kilometre stretch at Insuza was opened to traffic, bringing the total length of completed and opened sections to 42,5 kilometres.
According to the latest progress update, Bitumen World is leading with 20,9 kilometres opened to traffic, followed by Fossil Contracting (6,2km), Bitumen Resources (5,4km), Syvern Investment (5km) and Masimba Construction (5km).
Tensor Systems, Asphalt Products and Linash Construction also have active works underway, with sections yet to be opened to traffic.
The Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Highway rehabilitation is one of the Government’s flagship infrastructure projects under the Second Republic aimed at improving road safety, reducing travel time, lowering transport costs and supporting tourism growth in Matabeleland North.
The corridor is also critical to regional trade, linking Zimbabwe to Zambia and the wider SADC region through Victoria Falls.
With 397,9 kilometres still to be completed, authorities say the pressure remains on contractors to deliver, but maintain that the programme is adequately resourced and firmly on course once weather conditions improve.
Online Reporter