The Sunday Mail
At least US$40 million has been spent on rehabilitation of national roads damaged by last season’s torrential rains, under phase one of the Emergency Road Repair Programme which started in March.
The 60-day first phase witnessed emergency repair work countrywide, with bridges damaged by floods also getting attention.
According to information obtained by The Sunday Mail, repairs are being done in Manicaland on Chikwizi Bridge along the Mutare-Masvingo Highway, and Mutare Bridge; while works on the Centenary-Gutsa Road in Mashonaland Central Province are near completion, with the Old Mazowe Road having been gravelled.
The Harare-Mukumbura, Mvurwi-Kanyemba and Katarira-Mahuwe roads have been worked on while in Mashonaland East province, the Wedza-Mutiweshiri Goneso road has been completed.
Bondolfi-Renco Causeway construction in Masvingo province is almost complete and pothole patching and bush clearing has been completed along the Shurugwi-Mandamabwe Road.
The Lonely-Motapa Raod in Matabeleland North province has been graded and repairs to the Hwange-Deka Road are nearing completion.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Dr Joram Gumbo told The Sunday Mail last week that, “Phase one of the programme which commenced on 13 March 2017 prioritised the preservation of road infrastructure from further deterioration, rehabilitation of drainage systems as well repairing of damaged roads sections. “In this regard re-grading of gravel roads has already achieved 16 490 km in the period under review. In phase one, which was emergency road works, we used US$40 million. The Department of Roads used at least US$14 million, District Development Fund US$7 million while urban councils received US$12 million and US$6 million was given to rural district councils.
“Planning for phase two of the programme is already underway which will focus on major rehabilitation works which includes reconstruction of damaged bridges.”
