Govt accelerates Byo-Vic Falls highway rehab

Freeman Razemba

Senior Reporter

MOTORISTS travelling between Bulawayo and Victoria Falls could soon enjoy smoother journeys, with Government targeting August next year for the completion of the rehabilitation of the 440km highway — a strategic route supporting tourism, trade and regional connectivity.

Eight contractors are now on site, with Government stepping up monitoring to ensure that construction progresses according to schedule and meets the required quality standards.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Advocate Felix Mhona gave the update yesterday during a tour of the highway, where he assessed progress and engaged contractors on the pace and quality of work.

So far, 73,4km have been rehabilitated and opened to traffic, while the contractors are targeting a combined 160km by the end of this year.

The project, which commenced in July 2025, is being undertaken by Bitumen Resources, Syvern Investment, Tensor Systems, Masimba Holdings, Fossil Contracting, Linash Construction, Asphalt Products and Bitumen World.

The works involve bush clearing, earthworks, drainage installation, road widening and surfacing, with chip-and-spray technology being used to restore the highway.

Minister Mhona said Government had put funding arrangements in place to ensure uninterrupted progress, including an infrastructure bond supported by Zinara funds and Treasury.

He called on motorists and communities along the highway to remain patient, assuring them that the project was receiving close Government attention.

“We managed to come up with an infrastructure bond which is being supported by Zinara funds, together with Treasury and there is no reason why you are going to see contractors not working on this particular project,” he said.

“As you know, we also have our resident engineers.

“But we are emphasising to our contractors that we are tapping into the fiscus. We are accountable to the people of Zimbabwe, and we must deliver a good product at the end of the day.”

Minister Mhona said engaging eight contractors was intended to accelerate work, with each responsible for approximately 50km of the highway.

He said Government had adopted chip-and-spray surfacing to make the road trafficable, while asphalt overlay, as used on the Harare-Beitbridge Highway, was a different rehabilitation approach.

The target is for contractors to complete at least half of their sections by the end of this year, paving the way for the entire stretch to become trafficable by July or August 2027.

Minister of State for Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Richard Moyo welcomed the resumption of construction, saying the development had brought relief to communities in the province.

He said the highway was important for local economic activities and connectivity, linking communities to major commercial centres and services.

Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Tongai Mnangagwa said the rehabilitation would give a major boost to tourism by improving access to Victoria Falls.

“It was long overdue for this road to be fixed because it actually goes to the capital of Zimbabwe’s tourism. That’s Matabeleland North.

“It can only happen when there’s access. When you don’t have access or connectivity, there’s no tourism. So, for us, we are happy to be here to also see the progress that’s going on so that tourism will boom as promised by His Excellency the President,” he said.

The Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway links Bulawayo with Hwange and Victoria Falls, while also serving as an important connection to the wider Southern African Development Community transport network.

It forms part of the North-South Corridor, facilitating the movement of goods and people between regional markets.

For years, motorists, truckers and tourists have endured difficult journeys along sections of the highway because of its deteriorating condition and numerous potholes.

The rehabilitation is expected to improve road safety, reduce travel times and ease the movement of people and goods, while strengthening tourism and regional trade.

The project initially involved five contractors, with Government subsequently engaging three additional companies to work on Lots 6, 7 and 8, covering sections towards Victoria Falls.

The rehabilitation is being implemented under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP II), through which Government is upgrading major highways and feeder roads across the country, including the Harare-Beitbridge, Harare-Chirundu and Mutare-Harare roads.

Source: Govt accelerates Byo-Vic Falls highway rehab – herald

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