Source: Rain season won’t halt Vic-Falls Road upgrade – herald
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Reporter
THE rehabilitation of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road will continue despite the coming rain season with contractors expected to concentrate on other works not affected by the rains.
The road is set to be completed by June next year.
Speaking to Zimpapers, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Felix Mhona said the approaching rain season is a key consideration in the national infrastructure planning.
“While weather conditions can pose challenges, our contractors are expected and prepared to continue with critical works where it is safe and technically feasible to do so.
“Modern construction methodologies and contractual provisions account for seasonal variations. During heavy rains, focus may temporarily shift to activities less affected by weather, such as drainage works, culvert installations, material procurement and site preparation,” said Minister Mhona.
He added that the overarching priority remains the safety of both the workforce and the travelling public, as well as the long-term integrity of the road.
“We are confident that with proper planning, the impact of the rain season on the overall project timelines will be minimised.”
The Government has given a firm assurance that the complete rehabilitation of the vital Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway will be concluded by June 2026, with eight contractors currently deployed along the 440-kilometre stretch in a short-term strategy funded by the Treasury.
Minister Mhona moved to clarify the Government’s two-pronged approach to the massive infrastructure project, distinguishing between the immediate, fiscally-funded intervention and the long-term Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
“If you remember very well, we have got a triple P arrangement in place, which is also going to cover the entire road network, right from Beitbridge to Bulawayo to Victoria Falls. But this was in the long term, where you also need to have issues to do with financial closures, but it was taking time,” said Minister Mhona.
He credited President Mnangagwa’s leadership for initiating immediate mitigatory measures to address the road’s deteriorating condition, which he attributed to its original construction in the early 1960s.
“You can no longer patch such a road,” he said, highlighting the necessity of a full-scale rehabilitation.
The adopted strategy involves dividing the entire corridor from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls into segments of approximately 51 kilometres per contractor. Initially, five contractors were mobilised to work on critical detours and sections.
Last week the Minister witnessed part of the road being opened to traffic.
Three other contractors have also joined the project, translating to eight contractors now working on the entire stretch.
This phased approach ensures simultaneous work across the entire highway, significantly accelerating the project timeline.
Minister Mhona emphasised the road’s critical role as a gateway to the country’s prime tourist hub, Victoria Falls.
Looking beyond the current project, Minister Mhona revealed a broader vision for the nation’s northern corridor.
He indicated that the Government is already considering developments northwards, connecting to Zambia via Chirundu through Karoi and Binga.
“As you know, Binga, again, has got massive opportunities for tourism,” he said.
He outlined a future where a fully trafficable road network runs from Karoi and Bulawayo, boosting economic and tourism prospects for the entire region. Detailing the construction process, the Minister explained that after the current phase of work by the eight contractors, another contractor will work on the complete section again, laying asphalt on the end.
This final step will ensure a high-quality, durable surface for the entire highway.
Crucially, Minister Mhona said the current short-term measure is being funded through the national fiscus, a testament to the Government’s commitment despite fiscal constraints.
“The short-term measure that we adopted was to go to Treasury in our case, we are using our own resources. I am grateful again to the Ministry of Finance, where they are availing resources for these particular eight contractors,” he said.
However, he reaffirmed that the bigger picture is a triple P arrangement that they have entered into with a private company that is going to superintend over the entire network that is from Beitbridge – Bulawayo – Victoria Falls.
This long-term PPP will be activated once all necessary due processes, including financial closure, are successfully concluded.
The assurance from the Minister provides much-needed clarity and a definitive timeline for a project of national importance, promising to revitalise a key economic artery and bolster Zimbabwe’s tourism and trade infrastructure.
The post Rain season won’t halt Vic-Falls Road upgrade appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.