News / Local
Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road rehab begins without official tender winners
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Preparations for the long-awaited rehabilitation of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road are now at an advanced stage, with detours under construction to maintain traffic flow during the works.
The 435-kilometre stretch, a vital corridor for tourism, trade, and regional integration, is expected to be completed within 10 months, bringing long-overdue relief to motorists, businesses, and communities along the route.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development confirmed in a statement that detour construction and bush clearing are underway in the Bernice Area, Cross Jotsholo and Insuza, forming part of the broader rehabilitation and upgrading efforts.
"Bush clearing is underway for detour construction in these areas as part of the broader rehabilitation and upgrading project," the ministry said.
The project will be implemented in phases by five Zimbabwean companies, reflecting the Government's emphasis on local contractor empowerment and economic self-reliance.
Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs Minister Richard Moyo welcomed the development, thanking President Mnangagwa for prioritising the project.
"We are thankful to President Mnangagwa for this crucial development. This road is the lifeline of our province's economy," said Minister Moyo.
The Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway is not just a domestic lifeline — it's a key international route, linking Zimbabwe with Zambia, Botswana, and Namibia. It carries both tourists heading to Victoria Falls, one of Africa's top destinations, and freight traffic critical to the mining and agricultural sectors of north-western Zimbabwe.
For years, the road has suffered from severe deterioration, with potholes, narrow lanes and crumbling shoulders posing serious hazards and hampering economic activity.
The ongoing rehabilitation is expected to revive trade, improve road safety, and cut travel times, while supporting Zimbabwe's Vision 2030 goal of becoming an upper-middle-income economy.
The highway overhaul falls under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme Phase 2 (ERRP2), under which more than 50,000 kilometres of roads and 2,000 bridges and structures have been repaired nationwide since 2021.
In addition, the Government has acquired new road maintenance equipment, including tractors, to ensure long-term durability of the infrastructure once upgraded.
Despite challenges in accessing foreign funding, the project highlights Zimbabwe's commitment to progress using domestic resources and expertise.
With works now accelerating, travellers and businesses can look forward to a safer and more efficient route to Victoria Falls — and a powerful boost to regional connectivity and development.
The 435-kilometre stretch, a vital corridor for tourism, trade, and regional integration, is expected to be completed within 10 months, bringing long-overdue relief to motorists, businesses, and communities along the route.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development confirmed in a statement that detour construction and bush clearing are underway in the Bernice Area, Cross Jotsholo and Insuza, forming part of the broader rehabilitation and upgrading efforts.
"Bush clearing is underway for detour construction in these areas as part of the broader rehabilitation and upgrading project," the ministry said.
The project will be implemented in phases by five Zimbabwean companies, reflecting the Government's emphasis on local contractor empowerment and economic self-reliance.
Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs Minister Richard Moyo welcomed the development, thanking President Mnangagwa for prioritising the project.
"We are thankful to President Mnangagwa for this crucial development. This road is the lifeline of our province's economy," said Minister Moyo.
For years, the road has suffered from severe deterioration, with potholes, narrow lanes and crumbling shoulders posing serious hazards and hampering economic activity.
The ongoing rehabilitation is expected to revive trade, improve road safety, and cut travel times, while supporting Zimbabwe's Vision 2030 goal of becoming an upper-middle-income economy.
The highway overhaul falls under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme Phase 2 (ERRP2), under which more than 50,000 kilometres of roads and 2,000 bridges and structures have been repaired nationwide since 2021.
In addition, the Government has acquired new road maintenance equipment, including tractors, to ensure long-term durability of the infrastructure once upgraded.
Despite challenges in accessing foreign funding, the project highlights Zimbabwe's commitment to progress using domestic resources and expertise.
With works now accelerating, travellers and businesses can look forward to a safer and more efficient route to Victoria Falls — and a powerful boost to regional connectivity and development.
Source - The Herald
