Mbudzi interchange nears completion, relief for Ha...

Mbudzi interchange nears completion, relief for Harare traffic

Rutendo Mazhindu

Zim Now Reporter

The much-anticipated Mbudzi Interchange project, a significant infrastructure development aimed at easing traffic congestion in Harare, is nearing completion. As of now, the project is 91% complete, with 13 out of 15 bridges already constructed.

Initially scheduled for completion on July 31, 2024, the project is now expected to be finalized by January 2025. Despite the delay, the project has made significant progress, with several roads, including the Masvingo-Harare and Amalinda roads, already opened to traffic.

Engineer Emmanuel Dube, overseeing the project, was unable to provide specific details or comment on the project's progress without explicit permission from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development. However, a site engineer involved in the project expressed optimism about the project's timeline and quality of work.

"The overall completion of the project is at 91%, and current activities are focused on completing the main bridge connecting Harare to Beatrice Road," the engineer explained. "We have opened a one-way traffic road from Masvingo to Harare via Glen Norah-Machipisa, but people are currently using it as a two-way street."

The project has also created significant employment opportunities, with over 600 jobs generated for various roles, including builders, engineers, truck drivers, and surveyors. As the project nears completion, concerns arise about the potential loss of income for these workers.

Once fully operational, the Mbudzi Interchange is expected to significantly improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in the area. It will also enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of the city and contribute to its infrastructure development.

While the Mbudzi Interchange is nearing completion, other government-initiated road projects, such as the Harare-Domboshava Road, Lorraine Drive, and Birchenough-Murambida road, are still under construction and are expected to be finalized in 2025.