Online Reporter
Victor Maphosa
Mashonaland East Bureau
CONSTRUCTION of the new Melfort Bridge along the Harare-Mutare Highway has surpassed the 40 percent completion mark, signalling steady progress on a key infrastructure project expected to enhance traffic flow and strengthen regional trade along one of Zimbabwe’s busiest transport corridors.
The bridge forms part of the Government’s ongoing dualisation of the Harare-Marondera section of the highway, a strategic route linking Zimbabwe to the Port of Beira in Mozambique and facilitating the movement of goods and people between the two countries.
Tensor Systems is undertaking the construction of the bridge across the Musitwe River near Melfort Business Centre.
Speaking in an interview with Zimpapers, Mashonaland East provincial roads engineer in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Engineer Tatenda Pasipamire, said works were progressing according to schedule and were expected to be completed by August 31 this year.
“Construction progress is now above 40 percent and the whole project is expected to be complete by August 31, 2026,” Engineer Pasipamire said.
“This development will eliminate bottlenecks caused by the absence of a second bridge on a dualised road. Motorists had to move to one carriageway to cross the Musitwe River.
“This bridge will allow for uninterrupted traffic flow, thereby reducing congestion and improving travel times.
“Also, a second bridge on this highway enhances road safety by reducing vehicle collisions, enhances the reliability of the Beira Corridor trade route by reducing transit periods and it enhances access to markets, healthcare, education and other services.”
Meanwhile, upgrading of the Hwedza-Mushandirapamwe Road in Mashonaland East is progressing well, with only 11 km out of the 47.5 km targeted left to be completed.
Hwedza-Mushandirapamwe Road is being upgraded under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme 2 (ERRP).
Masimba Holdings was tasked with all road works along the targeted stretch, which is now about 77 percent complete, with the remaining 11 km expected to be completed and opened to traffic this year.
“We are working on the 47 km stretch along the Hwedza-Mushandirapamwe road and to date we have worked on 34.5 km and we are now left with 11 km between Chop Chop and Mushandirapamwe business centres,” Eng Pasipamire said.
“Currently, the contractor, which is Masimba Holdings, has started clearing the detour. They have also stockpiled some gravel and very soon, we will be taking traffic off the main road so that work can start.”
“The project is progressing well, and with the necessary support, we will be able to complete this project by December 2026. This is a US$14,1 million project, which will cover all required works on these 11 km.”
The Hwedza-Mushandirapamwe project is one of the critical infrastructural projects which are ongoing in the Second Republic under the leadership of President Mnangagwa
It is a critical link road because it connects the district capital of Hwedza and the Provincial capital of Marondera.
It also connects Hwedza and Harare as well as connecting Mashonaland East and Manicaland provinces.
This road again links Hwedza and Chikomba districts. Eng Pasipamire said the Government is also working on the Nhekairo-Chigondo road in Hwedza, then the Hwedza Sadza road, Murehwa-Madicheche as well as the Nhakiwa-Manyika roads.
