Home News Government to revamp road networks

Government to revamp road networks

by Bustop TV News

By Trevor Makonyonga

Government has committed to revamping road networks in Harare whose current state  is deplorable.

Speaking at a post cabinet briefing, Tuesday, Information minister, Monica Mutsvangwa said five of the nine traffic lights along Samora Machel avenue had already been repaired and operational.

“Government will provide finances and will also monitor and supervise the collection and utilization of revenues by Local Authorities. The interventions and projects of the Ad-Hoc Inter-Ministerial Committee are categorized into three groups, namely: Infrastructure; Enhanced Public Transport Logistics Systems; and Enforcement. Regarding the upgrading of the Highglen/Gleneagles Roundabout, Kuwadzana Roundabout and Warren Park D Roundabout, it is reported that the relevant contracts have been awarded and delivery of material should be complete by 15 June 2021.

“Concerning the repair and upgrading of traffic lights on major junctions, Cabinet notes that a total of nine traffic lights along Samora Machel will be synchronised, with five having already been done and now operational. These are at the intersections of Samora Machel Avenue with the following roads: Bishop Gaul; Rekayi Tangwena; Rotten Row; and Chinhoyi Street. Procurement of materials for the remaining junctions is in progress. Two junctions, that is, Borrowdale Road/Crow Hill and Harare Drive/Kirkman Drive have completed and are set for commissioning.”

Carriageway markings for roads and parking bays, including reserved public transport lanes, in the Harare Central Business District will be redone. These are expected to be complete by 30 June 2021, with City Council procuring paint for the markings and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development providing the funding under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme. Construction of road kerbs and jersey barriers has been completed at the corner of Rotten Row/Robert Mugabe intersection, while construction is underway at the Rotten Row/Jason Moyo intersection.   

The government also gave an update on the modification of roundabouts and bus ticketing systems.

“In terms of the modification of roundabouts, Government is pleased to report that scoping of works for the Mbudzi Interchange has been completed and the preparation of specifications is in progress. On the use of designated bus stops, it is highlighted that the timetabling schedules are now 90% complete. The mobile application for prepayment of bus fares was developed by the Harare Institute of Technology and construction of prepaid ticketing offices is now complete. The testing of the ticketing software was completed as well as certification by ZIMSWITCH and the pilot project started today, 1 June 2021. Four hundred tapcards and 110 bank-linked point-of-sale (POS) machines have been procured and delivered.

“For the traffic control system, it is advised that the installation of optic fibre links is now complete on all controlled intersections in the Harare CBD. A pilot project of smart traffic solutions was completed at the corner of Simon Muzenda Street and Jason Moyo Avenue. Fibre optic network on all strategic points across Harare linking them to the control centre and TelOne have been completed. Cameras have also been installed at the following intersections: Simon Muzenda Street and Jason Moyo Avenue; Samora Machel and Leopold Takawira; and  Samora Machel and Julius Nyerere Way.”

Related Articles