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Zinara starts rolling out e-tolling
2 hrs ago |
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The Government has completed the widening of lanes at the Inkomo Tollgate in Mashonaland West Province and has begun rolling out an electronic tolling (e-tolling) system nationwide to ease congestion and improve efficiency at toll plazas.
The project, implemented through a partnership between the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (ZINARA) and local contractors, saw the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) officially hand over the upgraded Inkomo Tollgate on Wednesday. Upgrades at the Lion's Den Tollgate are also nearing completion.
Completed in just over two months, the Inkomo Tollgate expansion increased the number of lanes from four to six, including two dedicated express lanes for motorists using electronic tags (e-Tags).
According to ZINARA, the Harare-Inkomo corridor carries thousands of vehicles daily and has experienced increasing congestion, particularly during peak travel periods and public holidays, leading to long queues, higher fuel consumption and delays for motorists.
The roads authority said the project demonstrates its commitment to investing Road Fund resources in infrastructure that delivers tangible benefits to road users.
ZINARA described the development as a strategic investment that marks a shift from routine road maintenance towards modern, future-ready transport infrastructure capable of supporting economic growth and trade.
The authority said similar capacity enhancement projects are planned at other busy toll plazas following traffic assessments.
At the same time, ZINARA has begun implementing a radio-frequency identification (RFID)-based electronic tolling system at all 29 tollgates across the country.
Construction of dedicated express lanes has already commenced at Umguza Tollgate along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway as part of the nationwide rollout.
Under the new system, motorists will attach RFID-enabled e-Tags to their vehicle windscreens. As vehicles approach toll plazas, the system will automatically scan and verify the tag before opening the boom gate, eliminating the need for cash payments or manual processing.
ZINARA said separating electronic transactions from conventional payment methods will significantly reduce transaction times, particularly during periods of heavy traffic such as public holidays.
The authority added that the automated system will strengthen revenue collection, reduce risks associated with handling cash and improve transparency in toll operations.
It also expects the reduction in vehicle idling times to lower fuel consumption and carbon emissions while improving the movement of people and goods, thereby boosting productivity, tourism and regional trade.
Motorists wishing to use the dedicated express lanes will be required to register for the e-Tag system and maintain a prepaid toll account linked to their vehicles.
The project, implemented through a partnership between the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (ZINARA) and local contractors, saw the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) officially hand over the upgraded Inkomo Tollgate on Wednesday. Upgrades at the Lion's Den Tollgate are also nearing completion.
Completed in just over two months, the Inkomo Tollgate expansion increased the number of lanes from four to six, including two dedicated express lanes for motorists using electronic tags (e-Tags).
According to ZINARA, the Harare-Inkomo corridor carries thousands of vehicles daily and has experienced increasing congestion, particularly during peak travel periods and public holidays, leading to long queues, higher fuel consumption and delays for motorists.
The roads authority said the project demonstrates its commitment to investing Road Fund resources in infrastructure that delivers tangible benefits to road users.
ZINARA described the development as a strategic investment that marks a shift from routine road maintenance towards modern, future-ready transport infrastructure capable of supporting economic growth and trade.
The authority said similar capacity enhancement projects are planned at other busy toll plazas following traffic assessments.
Construction of dedicated express lanes has already commenced at Umguza Tollgate along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway as part of the nationwide rollout.
Under the new system, motorists will attach RFID-enabled e-Tags to their vehicle windscreens. As vehicles approach toll plazas, the system will automatically scan and verify the tag before opening the boom gate, eliminating the need for cash payments or manual processing.
ZINARA said separating electronic transactions from conventional payment methods will significantly reduce transaction times, particularly during periods of heavy traffic such as public holidays.
The authority added that the automated system will strengthen revenue collection, reduce risks associated with handling cash and improve transparency in toll operations.
It also expects the reduction in vehicle idling times to lower fuel consumption and carbon emissions while improving the movement of people and goods, thereby boosting productivity, tourism and regional trade.
Motorists wishing to use the dedicated express lanes will be required to register for the e-Tag system and maintain a prepaid toll account linked to their vehicles.
Source - The Herald
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