Harare closes Rekayi Tangwena Avenue for sewer repairs

The City of Harare has temporarily closed a section of Rekayi Tangwena Avenue to facilitate emergency repairs to a collapsed sewer line, with the works expected to disrupt traffic between the central business district and the city's southern suburbs.

The affected stretch is a key transport corridor linking the central business district with Belvedere, Southerton and Willowvale and is heavily used by commuters and commercial vehicles, particularly during peak hours.

In a statement, the local authority said the road closure was necessary to allow repairs and upgrades to a damaged underground sewer line.

"The closure is aimed at facilitating repairs and upgrades to a 50-metre-long, five-metre-deep earthenware sewer line that collapsed beneath the road.

"Due to the severity of the damage, full excavation across the carriageway is required to access the pipe and reinstate the road properly," the city said.

The municipality urged motorists to use alternative routes, observe temporary traffic signs and follow instructions from traffic management personnel deployed at the site.

The City of Harare apologised for the inconvenience caused by the emergency works and appealed for patience and cooperation from residents while repairs are underway.

The rehabilitation forms part of the city's ongoing efforts to address ageing underground infrastructure, which has contributed to recurring sewer collapses and service disruptions in parts of the capital.