Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
THE construction of the strategic Harare–Chirundu Highway is set to begin in September, alongside the modernisation of Chirundu Border Post, in a major project geared to ease congestion, improving road safety and strengthening the country’s position as a regional trade gateway.
The US$900 million project, to be implemented under a public-private partnership between 2026 and 2027, will see the full rehabilitation of the 356-kilometre corridor, including the construction of new toll plazas and weighbridges.
The route is one of the country’s busiest, carrying heavy commercial traffic linking Zimbabwe to Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the wider SADC northbound corridor.
Early works are already underway, with contractors opening detours in the Makuti area and carrying out pothole patching on sections damaged during the recent rainy season.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona said the project reflects Government’s commitment to modernising key transport corridors in line with Vision 2030.
“We are moving ahead with the upgrading of the Harare–Chirundu Highway, and works are expected to begin in earnest this September,” he said.
To stabilise the road ahead of full-scale reconstruction, Government has released ZiG90 million for emergency rehabilitation works.
“The funds have been availed to contractors to patch the worst-affected sections and restore basic drivability,” said Minister Mhona.
The recent rains left large sections of the highway riddled with potholes, posing risks to motorists and slowing the movement of goods.
Ministry spokesperson Ms Judith Nhau said the ongoing patching works are only a temporary measure.
“Patching alone cannot deliver lasting improvements. Government is committed to rehabilitating this corridor to a standard befitting its strategic importance,” she said.
The upgrading of the Harare–Chirundu Highway is expected to significantly reduce travel times, improve safety and enhance the efficiency of regional trade logistics.
Meanwhile, progress is also being recorded on the Christmas Pass Bypass Road in Mutare, which is now 29 percent complete.
The 31,2-kilometre project, being implemented by Leengate Private Limited, is designed to divert heavy trucks from the accident-prone Christmas Pass, a steep and winding stretch that has long been associated with frequent crashes.
Construction, which began last year, has resumed following a pause caused by heavy rains, with works now in full swing.
Manicaland Provincial Roads Engineer, Engineer Raphael Sigauke, said major milestones have already been achieved, including bush clearing, roadbed preparation and the installation of culverts.
“We are making steady progress, with earthworks such as cutting, filling and road formation currently underway. More than 80 percent of the new alignment has already been cleared,” he said.
Roadbed and subgrade preparation — critical stages in road construction — are being undertaken to ensure a strong and durable foundation capable of supporting heavy traffic while preventing erosion and structural failure.
The bypass will stretch 31,2 kilometres, with 26 kilometres being newly constructed and the remainder incorporating existing roads such as Park Road.
It will be 12,5 metres wide and designed to allow smoother traffic flow, particularly for heavy haulage trucks.
Key features of the project include a toll plaza, the upgrading of the Sakubva (Murahwa) People’s Green Market Bridge and the construction of two modern interchanges at either end of the bypass to improve traffic efficiency and safety.
Engineer Sigauke said the project is critical given the high accident rate along the existing Christmas Pass route.
The bypass is expected to significantly reduce accidents while improving the movement of goods along the busy corridor linking Zimbabwe to Mozambique.
Together, the Harare–Chirundu Highway upgrade and Christmas Pass Bypass Road form part of a broader infrastructure drive by the Second Republic to modernise transport networks, facilitate trade and support economic growth.
