News / Local
Zinara test runs state of teh art toll plaza
02 Mar 2013 at 04:32hrs | Views
THE Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) has started testing the recently completed state-of-the-art tolling plaza along the Bulawayo-Harare highway.
The plaza, located about 20 kilometres from Bulawayo, is equipped with a digitalised system that makes tolling efficient and user friendly.
"The plaza was completed sometime last week and at the moment we have opened it just to test if it is working properly," said an official at the toll point.
He said motorists would not pay anything during the functionality test.
The toll fees are pegged at between $1 and $6 depending on the size of the vehicle.
"Motorists are not paying anything at the moment because we want them to at least familiarise themselves with the new system while at the same time the authority is testing if everything is working according to plan," said the official.
He said the toll plaza matched international standards.
"It is equipped with the latest digital mechanisms and it is going to make tolling a lot more easier," said the official.
The toll plaza has tight security mechanisms including close circuit television (CCTV) devices.
The system also has sensors and can record the number of times the boom gate is opened for audit purposes.
In 2011, the State was prejudiced of potential revenue of $1,7 million in a ticket scam at tollgates that led to the arrest of two Zimra workers.
The erection of the toll plaza is part of the Zinara project to install toll plazas which look like those found along highways in neighbouring South Africa.
"These will be located on the 820 kilometres of highway between Plumtree to Bulawayo, then Harare and eventually Mutare.
Group Five International of South Africa is partnering Zinara on the project.
The toll plaza brings the number of tolling points on the highway to nine.
The highway is at the moment being rehabilitated and upgraded to international standards.
The project is worth $206 million and is expected to end next year.
Zinara sourced the $206,6 million from the Development Bank of Southern Africa to undertake the project.
The plaza, located about 20 kilometres from Bulawayo, is equipped with a digitalised system that makes tolling efficient and user friendly.
"The plaza was completed sometime last week and at the moment we have opened it just to test if it is working properly," said an official at the toll point.
He said motorists would not pay anything during the functionality test.
The toll fees are pegged at between $1 and $6 depending on the size of the vehicle.
"Motorists are not paying anything at the moment because we want them to at least familiarise themselves with the new system while at the same time the authority is testing if everything is working according to plan," said the official.
He said the toll plaza matched international standards.
"It is equipped with the latest digital mechanisms and it is going to make tolling a lot more easier," said the official.
The toll plaza has tight security mechanisms including close circuit television (CCTV) devices.
In 2011, the State was prejudiced of potential revenue of $1,7 million in a ticket scam at tollgates that led to the arrest of two Zimra workers.
The erection of the toll plaza is part of the Zinara project to install toll plazas which look like those found along highways in neighbouring South Africa.
"These will be located on the 820 kilometres of highway between Plumtree to Bulawayo, then Harare and eventually Mutare.
Group Five International of South Africa is partnering Zinara on the project.
The toll plaza brings the number of tolling points on the highway to nine.
The highway is at the moment being rehabilitated and upgraded to international standards.
The project is worth $206 million and is expected to end next year.
Zinara sourced the $206,6 million from the Development Bank of Southern Africa to undertake the project.
Source - TC
