Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
THE Harare–Masvingo–Beitbridge Highway rehabilitation project is nearing completion, with just 38,7km remaining after 544,2kmof the 580km corridor have already been completed and opened to traffic.
This marks a major milestone in the modernisation of Zimbabwe’s busiest north–south trade and tourism corridor, which links the country to South Africa and the wider region.
The upgraded highway is being transformed into a modern dual carriageway with new interchanges, improved bridges and safer traffic flow, significantly reducing congestion and travel time.
Progress is also accelerating on the Masvingo Trumpet Interchange, a key infrastructure development expected to ease traffic congestion in and around Masvingo City.
The interchange is being complemented by the Mucheke Bridge, which is nearing completion and will further enhance connectivity and traffic circulation.
Four bridges valued at US$12 million are at various stages of completion within Masvingo City’s municipal precincts under the highway rehabilitation programme.
These structures form an integral part of the widening, upgrading and rehabilitation works being implemented by five contractors — Tensor Systems, Exodus and Company, Fossil Contracting, Masimba Construction and Bitumen World.
In a statement, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development confirmed that only 37,8 kilometres of the Harare–Masvingo–Beitbridge Highway remain outstanding.
Recent milestones include the completion and opening to traffic of 1,5km of four-lane carriageway in the Ngundu area and another 1,5kmof two-lane road at Runde Shopping Centre.
To date, Bitumen World has completed and opened 130,3km, Fossil Contracting 122,6km, Masimba Holdings 102km, Exodus and Company 92,1km and Tensor Systems 90km.
An additional 7,2km trial stretch has also been completed and opened to traffic.
Beyond the Harare–Beitbridge corridor, progress is also being recorded on other major road projects across the country.
On the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Road, 32,1km have been completed and opened to traffic, while the remaining 408,3kmare still under construction.
A recently completed 6,8km stretch in the Hwange area has already been opened to traffic, improving safety and travel comfort during the festive season.
The project is being undertaken by eight contractors, with Bitumen World completing 20,9km, Fossil Contracting 6,2km and Syvern Investments 5km.
Other contractors — Masimba Construction, Bitumen Resources, Tensor Systems, Asphalt Products and Linash — are continuing work on their respective sections.
The Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Road project has also delivered tangible socio-economic benefits to communities in Matabeleland North Province.
All eight contractors have employed more than 600 people, with over half of the workforce drawn from surrounding communities.
Women account for about 30 percent of the labour force, injecting income, skills and livelihoods into the local economy.
Meanwhile, the Bulawayo–Nkayi Road Project is also progressing, with 12 kilometres completed and opened to traffic.
In Manicaland Province, construction of the 31,2km Christmas Pass By-Pass is gathering momentum.
The US$99 million project, being undertaken by Leengate Private Limited, has reached over 20 percent completion, with significant progress recorded on land clearance, roadbed and subgrade preparation.
Manicaland provincial roads engineer, Engineer Raphael Sigauke, said 14,3 km of land clearance from the Romeo Shops turn-off towards Feruka Road had been completed, along with major works on five ramps that will serve as critical access points along the bypass.
In Matabeleland South Province, the Gwanda–Maphisa Road project — a key legacy initiative ahead of the province’s hosting of the 2026 Independence Day celebrations — is firmly on track for completion by early next year.
Initial works on the first 10 kilometres have already begun.
The upgrading of the Gwanda–Maphisa Road is a cornerstone of Government’s devolution agenda and is expected to dramatically reduce travel time while improving access to healthcare, education and markets for rural communities.
The road will provide the shortest route between Gwanda, Beitbridge, Masvingo and Maphisa, strengthening regional connectivity and unlocking new opportunities in mining, agriculture and tourism.
dyton mupawaenda