Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba in MASVINGO
THE newly-constructed Mucheke River Bridge in Masvingo, which is set to ease congestion, improve road safety and boost trade along one of the country’s busiest transport corridors, the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway, has been opened to traffic.
Motorists and transport operators have hailed the development.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona and his Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution counterpart Ezra Chadzamira yesterday led a delegation to officially commission the bridge.
So far, about 550km of the 580km Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Road, have been rehabilitated, with only 30km left and anticipated to be completed this year.
Recently, there was also the construction of a 36km dual carriageway along the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway from Chartergrade area to Harare’s city centre, and plans are underway to relocate the Skyline Tollgate.
The dualisation of Harare-Beitbridge Road near the Manyame River bridge was also part of the broader national highway upgrade, with a 15km stretch from Chartergrade to just before the bridge opened to traffic in July 2023.
In an interview, Minister Mhona said the commissioning of the bridge was another major milestone achievement, and they were happy as the government continues improving connectivity and ease of movement of people.
“I am happy that today we have witnessed the opening of this bridge, which to the people of Masvingo is something that is going to decongest, one we are witnessing long queues, whether we are coming to work or going home, but I am happy that now you see trafficability being enhanced.
“And going forward you will see us working with speed on the trampet and others might call it an interchange just a few metres from this point where we’ll be actually constructing the interchange to decongest traffic and also as a bypass to those who don’t need to come through the great city on their way to South Africa or vice versa.
“We continue in that trajectory to make sure that the mantra of His Excellency Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa that we build our own country and we need to enhance issues of connectivity this is what we are doing and I am happy that we will not end here we have also started on the road over rail at Fairfields those who witness road construction on that particular section and again at Bubi section,we are doing a road over rail and like I alluded to earlier on we’ll also be attending to interchanges as we move towards the great city Harare.”
Minister Mhona assured that they will also be attending to the problematic Chilonga bridge, which is in Chiredzi, and roads in and around the area.
He said the engineers from the Ministry were now seized with the designs of the Chilonga Bridge, and works will commence soon.
In his remarks, Minister Chadzamira also said the people of Masvingo, especially transport operators and business people, were happy with the opening of the bridge as it was going to ease congestion as well as improve connectivity in the province.
