Moffat Mungazi
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
CONSTRUCTION of the badly damaged Chipinge-Mt Selinda Road is underway, with the contractor currently mobilising the requisite resources to the site.
The 32km Chipinge-Mt Selinda Road was once intact, but deteriorated over the years, leaving just a tar strip in the middle of the motorway.
Acting Manicaland Provincial Road Engineer, Engineer Patrick Muropa confirmed that the Chipinge-Mt Selinda Road project is progressing on well as the contractor, Zada Construction, is carrying out preliminary works ahead of the actual road construction.
“The Chipinge-Mt Selinda Road project is progressing well as the contractor, Zada Construction, begins mobilising to the site. The work involves upgrading a 10km gravel road to a surfaced road with an asphalt overlay,” he said.
Engineer Muropa said the road construction works will see the tarmac being expanded to 10m width.
“The scope of the project includes road upgrades, surfacing the road with asphalt overlay, expanding the road to a 10-metre width. Drainage improvements are also a major part of the Chipinge-Mt Selinda Road construction works.
“This entails upgrading a major crossing structure as well as installing new several culverts along the section. Safety enhancements works that include road marking and installation of road signage also has to be done,” he said.
Engineer Muropa also confirmed that detour construction is underway in order to facilitate uninterrupted traffic flow during construction.
“Current activities on the ground include detour construction in order to facilitate uninterrupted traffic flow during construction as well as road reserve clearance.
“We are also preparing the corridor for widening and construction activities. These initial steps are critical to ensuring smooth operations and minimising disruptions for road users during the upgrade process,” he said.
Meanwhile, construction of the Fire Station to Railway Avenue Road in Mutare’s Central Business District is progressing on well.
Mutare Town Clerk, Mr Blessing Chafesuka confirmed that they are well on course to meet their December 15 project completion target.
“We are on schedule on the Fire Station to Railway Avenue Road construction. We are still hopeful that we will be able to meet the December 15 target that we set initially. As we speak, the laying of asphalt overlay has started,” said Mr Chafesuka.
