Story by Farirai Mutumburanzou
The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Honourable Felix Tapiwa Mhona witnessed the launch of the pre-stressed beams at Mbudzi Interchange yesterday soon after officially opening the Amalinda Bridge to traffic which is part of the Mbudzi Interchange.
Speaking to the media, Hon Mhona said they are pleased with the wonderful work being done at Mbudzi which is being championed by local contractors who are proving beyond doubt that as country we can do better.
“If you look at the composition of Tefoma, we have our own people who have the capacity and skills and to brag as Zimbabweans that we can do it on our own,” he said.
Hon Mhona also highlighted that the government has fully compensated people who used to own properties and residential stands near the Mbudzi Interchange and now the work is moving swiftly.
“We have paid close to US$38 million in total were there were residential and commercial stands. As we speak today we don’t owe anyone a cent to those who used to own property at the Mbudzi Interchange and this is the reason why there was a delay because we needed to compensate everyone before proceeding with the works,” he said.
Engineer Parichi the Acting Director for Infrastructural Planning and Environment Management said, “The opening to traffic of the Amalinda Bridge and the Harare Drive missing link as well as Mukuvisi River Bridge represents not just a physical connection but a pathway to opportunites and growth for all of us.
Engineer Maguta representing Tefoma added that, “The bridge is going to offer relieve to the newly opened Glen Norah Loop and this route is now going to offer a shortcut for those coming from Masvingo into Glen Norah and Highfields.
“I am sure you will appreciate prior to this project that there was serious congestion that was occurring on this part of the road, I’m confident to say this road will give us a smooth and seamless flow as opposed to what was happening before and we are sincerely grateful to the Minister of Transport for affording us an opportunity to be part of this beautiful development.
Speaking at the official opening to traffic on the Amalinda Bridge and road Engineer Maguta from Tefoma said they started working on the road end of August and now they are done.
The Amalinda road from Boka upto Glen Norah is 1,6km and the bridge’s can provide passage to vehicles weighing maximum of 180 tonnes.
All the 13 bridges on the Interchange are now complete.
The Mbudzi Interchange project, a significant infrastructure upgrade, is being executed by Tefoma Group, a consortium comprising Tensor Systems, Fossil Contracting, and Masimba Construction.
