Harare-Chirundu road provides key commercial route...

Harare-Chirundu road provides key commercial route: Govt

**Minister Felix Mhona, on a grader at the ground-breaking ceremony**

Oscar J Jeke

The Harare-Chirundu road rehabilitation and expansion project, which is expected to cost US$550 million, will be prioritised as it provides an important commercial route serving countries on the north and south corridor, government has said.

Together with the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge road, the highway – when completed – will enhance and provide a traffic link for the region.

This was disclosed by Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Felix Mhona while officiating at the ground-breaking ceremony for the rehabilitation and widening of the Harare-Chirundu highway.

In his address, Minister Mhona said that the road is part of the commercial route linking a number of countries, hence it is being given priority.

**The Bitumen World asphalt plant in Makuti has potential to produce 140 tonnes of asphalt per hour**

“The road is an important commercial route serving countries on the north and south corridor, hence its prioritisation for rehabilitation,” he said.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Permanent Secretary, Engineer Joe Pedzisayi Makumbe also said that the road connects Zimbabwe’s two biggest border towns, linking the country with regional countries such as South Africa, Zambia and DRC.

The Transport Minister was accompanied by Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Miriam Chombo and other senior government officials.

Five local companies, which also took part in the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge road rehabilitation project, Masimba, Fossil, Exodus and Company, Tensor and Bitumen World have been contracted to do the highway rehabilitation and widening project, which is expected to take 18 months to complete.

One of the firms, Bitumen World, has set up an asphalt plant in Makuti capable of producing 140 tonnes of asphalt per hour.