News / National
Gweru to repair all traffic lights by year-end
6 hrs ago | Views
Gweru City Council Mayor Martin Chivhoko has announced ambitious plans to install new traffic lights and refurbish malfunctioning ones at all intersections in the city's central business district (CBD) by the end of 2025.
The Midlands capital has long struggled with traffic congestion and accidents linked to non-functional traffic lights, causing daily frustration for commuters and pedestrians alike.
Speaking at a recent state of the city stakeholders meeting, Mayor Chivhoko emphasized the urgent need to restore traffic order and improve road safety in Gweru.
"We have 16 traffic light intersections in the central business district and so far we have restored four," Chivhoko said. "We have set out plans that by the end of December 2025 all the 16 intersections in the CBD will be functional. We want to restore traffic normalcy in the city."
Residents and local groups have welcomed the announcement but urged the council to honor its commitment. David Chikore, director of the Gweru Progressive Residents and Development Association, called on the council to accelerate the restoration efforts.
"As residents, we have always called on council to move with speed and restore traffic lights in the city so as to reduce traffic accidents caused by malfunctioning traffic lights," Chikore said. He also noted that the community will hold the council accountable to meet the year-end deadline.
The traffic light challenge dates back nearly a decade when Gweru City Council contracted the Chinese firm Emobuild to install solar-powered traffic lights at 16 intersections. However, the project stalled due to a contractual dispute that escalated to the courts. Emobuild received partial payment of US$360,000 out of an agreed US$500,000 but was later sued by the council over faulty installations. About 90 percent of the installed traffic lights reportedly became dysfunctional, with the contractor denying responsibility.
These traffic lights cover the main robot-controlled intersections in Zimbabwe's third-largest city, and their restoration is seen as vital for improving traffic flow and safety in Gweru.
With renewed focus and a clear timeline, residents and motorists alike hope to see a safer and smoother traffic experience in the city by the end of the year.
The Midlands capital has long struggled with traffic congestion and accidents linked to non-functional traffic lights, causing daily frustration for commuters and pedestrians alike.
Speaking at a recent state of the city stakeholders meeting, Mayor Chivhoko emphasized the urgent need to restore traffic order and improve road safety in Gweru.
"We have 16 traffic light intersections in the central business district and so far we have restored four," Chivhoko said. "We have set out plans that by the end of December 2025 all the 16 intersections in the CBD will be functional. We want to restore traffic normalcy in the city."
"As residents, we have always called on council to move with speed and restore traffic lights in the city so as to reduce traffic accidents caused by malfunctioning traffic lights," Chikore said. He also noted that the community will hold the council accountable to meet the year-end deadline.
The traffic light challenge dates back nearly a decade when Gweru City Council contracted the Chinese firm Emobuild to install solar-powered traffic lights at 16 intersections. However, the project stalled due to a contractual dispute that escalated to the courts. Emobuild received partial payment of US$360,000 out of an agreed US$500,000 but was later sued by the council over faulty installations. About 90 percent of the installed traffic lights reportedly became dysfunctional, with the contractor denying responsibility.
These traffic lights cover the main robot-controlled intersections in Zimbabwe's third-largest city, and their restoration is seen as vital for improving traffic flow and safety in Gweru.
With renewed focus and a clear timeline, residents and motorists alike hope to see a safer and smoother traffic experience in the city by the end of the year.
Source - The Standard
