Reopen Josiah Chinamano Street: Motorists, businesses

BUSINESSES operating along Josiah Chinamano Street in Bulawayo, together with motorists who use the route daily, are appealing for the speedy completion of rehabilitation works and the reopening of the road, saying the prolonged closure is taking a toll on trade and traffic movement.

Josiah Chinamano Street was closed on April 8,to pave the way for upgrading works that are expected to be completed by mid-November. In a public notice, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development said traffic would be diverted via Plumtree Road and Manchester Road while rehabilitation works are underway.

“The ministry wishes to notify the motoring public of the temporary and partial road closure of Josiah Chinamano from 14th Avenue towards Birkenhead Road to facilitate essential road rehabilitation works.

“Being a heavily built-up industrial area, traffic shall be rerouted around Plumtree Road and Manchester Road. Temporary access will be given to those who wish to access services along Chinamano Avenue and those who wish to go towards Raylton and the surrounding areas.

“To ensure the safety of all motorists and construction personnel and to facilitate a smooth flow of traffic, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development strongly advises the public to obey all posted traffic signs and instructions from officials, drive with caution and reduce speed through the affected areas, and allow for extra travel time in their schedules.

“The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development regrets any inconvenience caused and appreciates the cooperation and patience of the public as we continue to improve the national road network,” said the ministry.

While business operators have welcomed Government efforts to improve the country’s road infrastructure, many are now hoping that the rehabilitation project can be completed as quickly as possible, citing declining customer numbers and reduced traffic flow.

“The closure of the road has rerouted traffic and we have seen a decline in the number of clients that eat in our restaurant. Customers tend to avoid sitting down in an eatery when their vehicles are parked far away,” said restaurant supervisor Nozipho Moyo.

Motorists interviewed along alternative routes also said the diversion had increased travelling time and congestion, expressing hope that the road would be reopened sooner rather than later to ease pressure on surrounding roads.

A few metres from Moyo’s establishment, a tyre repair business is also feeling the impact of the reduced traffic flow.

“My prayer is that the road upgrade is finished in November as promised. We are suffering business-wise because traffic is no longer using this road,” said Alex Mpabanga.

A representative of a company that sells clothing and textiles, who declined to be named, said dust generated by the rehabilitation works was also affecting business operations.

“We are forced to clean our shelves and windows twice a week because of dust from the rehabilitation works. But at the same time we appreciate the efforts by Government to fix the road,” he said.

Despite the challenges, business owners and motorists said they remain supportive of the project and acknowledge the long-term benefits of an improved road network. However, they have appealed for the work to be completed within the stipulated timeframe to minimise further disruption to business activity and traffic movement in the area.