Mini-interchange for Bulawayo to ease traffic

The Government is exploring plans to establish a mini-interchange in Bulawayo, modeled after Harare's iconic Trabablas Interchange, to alleviate congestion and improve traffic flow in the city.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona revealed the proposal during a recent parliamentary session, where he provided updates on major road projects underway in the southern region.

"I have tasked my engineer for the Bulawayo Province to also interrogate and see what we can have in terms of a mini-interchange. I will keep the August House updated pertaining to where we are going to be putting the interchange in particular," said Minister Mhona.

Though exact locations have not yet been disclosed, the announcement reflects a growing government commitment to providing Bulawayo with infrastructure upgrades comparable to those in the capital city.

The mini-interchange is expected to be a milestone in urban transport planning aligned with devolution policies, stimulating economic activity and attracting further investment into the region.

This development will complement ongoing works on the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway, which remains a vital corridor linking Zimbabwe to Zambia, Botswana, and Namibia. The highway facilitates both domestic travel and international tourism while serving key mining and agricultural areas.

Minister Mhona confirmed that contractors have been mobilised for the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road project, with five already on the ground opening detours to enable phased roadworks.

"We are going to be maintaining and every particular contractor on a particular section - they are awarded and will superintend over road maintenance, grass cutting and each particular contractor has got about 50km. So, you will see them maintaining and at the same time opening a detour. They will be doing 5km detours. As they finish, they move traffic back to the roads and continue on their stretch," he explained.

The phased project is expected to take approximately 10 months, with contractors managing specific sections in a coordinated kilometre-by-kilometre approach.

Under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP2) and other government initiatives, more than 50,000 km of roads and 2,000 structures have been rehabilitated since 2021, despite limited external financing.

Minister Mhona also announced the imminent start of construction on the Kwekwe-Nkayi-Lupane Road, a strategic route expected to significantly reduce travel times between Harare, Bulawayo, and Victoria Falls.

"The good news, exciting news, is that we are now going to be starting on the Kwekwe-Nkayi-Lupane Road. The contractor is mobilising, which is also going to shorten the distance to Victoria Falls. The same contractor will be working on the entire stretch of the Bulawayo-Nkayi Road," he said.

These infrastructure projects form part of the Second Republic's broader agenda to modernise Zimbabwe's transport network under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and Vision 2030, aimed at driving economic transformation and regional integration.