New road signs for Zimbabwe

Zimbabweans should brace themselves for new road signs and road signs in line with the Sadc protocol manual on preferred signs would be used on the highway to ensure uniformity with other countries in the region.  

The erection of new road signs was subject to a law being gazetted to legalise them.

The road signs are set to come in during the rehabilitation and upgrading of the 820 kilometre stretch of the highway from Plumtree to Mutare which will start after the Easter Holidays, following the completion of tests to determine the scope of works.

At least six types of tests were done to determine the structural integrity, residual and tensile strength of the entire stretch.

The road is being rehabilitated under a partnership between Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) and South Africa-based internationally renowned road construction experts, Group Five.

The road width will be extended on certain portions which will help to reduce accidents that are caused by side swiping of vehicles on the narrow roads.

New perimeter fences would be erected along the highway to stop animals from straying onto it and causing accidents.

Group Five will provide the expertise while local companies that have the capacity to carry out the work are contracted.

Communities along the highway will be hired as labourers so that they get a sense of ownership of the works and are expected to help protect it from vandalism upon completion.

The Plumtree to Mutare highway project represents the largest monetary investment into any single infrastructural development programme in the last 12 years.