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Conrad Mupesa and Walter Nyamukondiwa
The upgrading of the Harare-Chirundu Highway is set to commence, with two of the five contractors identified to undertake the project, having moved to their allocated areas of operation.
Bitumen World and Tensor Systems are the two companies that have since taken equipment on site.
They have also established camps with skeletal staff ahead of commencement of works.
In an interview, provincial roads director, Engineer Simbarashe Gomo, confirmed the development.
“The works are progressing well as we now have two contractors that have moved on site. One of the contractors, Bitumen World, is now on site with its equipment,” said Eng Gomo.
“Each of the five contractors that worked on the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway, managed to conduct preliminary processes in line with the Procurement Act.
“They conducted site reconnaissance on tentative sections given by the Government in order to prepare their bills. These are now being used for procurement processes.”
Bitumen World has set a camp at Dins Business Centre near the Nyamakate area along the Harare-Chirundu Highway where it will start its allocated stretch.
All the five contractors conducted site reconnaissance in March this year. The other three contractors that have been contracted to work on the road are Fossil, Masimba, and Exodus and Company.
They are understood to have started making efforts to move to their sites as the road upgrade is expected to roll into motion shortly.
All the companies are working on the 585km Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway, where over 410km have been completed and opened to traffic.
Motorists and other road users have commended the Government for adopting the financing model where locally generated funds are deployed towards road construction projects.
Chief Chundu, Senator Abel Mbasera, said moving to the site by contractors was a sign that the Second Republic is fulfilling its commitment to rehabilitate the important highway.
“We are glad as the community that the road is now getting attention as it had outlived its lifespan,” said Chief Chundu.
“A lot of accidents that occurred on this stretch were mainly a result of its bad state.”
Senator Chundu added there was a need for all stakeholders to participate in appeasing the spirits of accident victims.
In 2017, 43 people perished after a King Lion bus was involved in an accident at the Nyamakate area.
Some motorists and passengers expressed joy at indications that the rehabilitation of the Harare-Chirundu Highway is set to begin.
“Everyone was waiting for this development and we are optimistic that the contractors will meet their set timelines,” said Mr Clayton Mhonyera.
A Magunje resident and commuter omnibus driver, Mr Kings Mushongahande said the Karoi-Chinhoyi stretch, which has too many potholes and eroded edges, makes driving difficult.
The 342km Harare-Chirundu stretch on the North-South Corridor, links Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania.
The scope of works includes upgrading the Harare-Chirundu Highway to the same standards as the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge road, which is also a SADC standard.
Engineers say the Harare-Chirundu road has outlived its lifespan, hence the major damages that have occurred over time.
Online Reporter