The expansion of the Norton Toll Plaza will reduce congestion at the tolling point, promote flawless transit facilitation past the tolling point, enhance revenue collection for road maintenance, promote speedy transaction and serve time, as well as promoting economic development, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Hon Felix Tapiwa Mhona has said.
The Norton Toll Plaza was commissioned today by Hon Adv Felix Tapiwa Mhona, as part of the government’s efforts to upgrade tollgates and improve road infrastructure.
The expansion of the Norton Toll Plaza is part of the government’s efforts, through the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development and particularly ZINARA, to improve road infrastructure and enhance the country’s transport network.
“In January 2024, I promulgated Statutory Instrument 5 of 2024 on Toll Roads (National Road Network) (Amendment) Regulations which, in terms of Section 3 (4) of the same, empowers ZINARA, to construct, repair and or renovate tolling infrastructure, including the road approaches on all designated tolling points, including any area within a radius of 1KM of such tolling point.
“This piece of legislation empowers ZINARA to directly engage contractors for the construction, rehabilitation and expansion of Toll Gates and Toll Plazas,” said Hon Mhona.
Hon Adv Felix Tapiwa Mhona further highlighted that toll plazas are vital infrastructure that supports the country’s economic growth and development.
“Tolling points are integral to a sustainable road network in any country, as they are revenue centres from which we collect funds for the maintenance of our roads. These tolling points are instruments of collecting road user fees, and it is crucial that we perpetually review their statuses to ensure modernity and congruence with digital advancement. As our nation continues to grow and modernize, it is critical that we continue to invest in maintaining and enhancing these toll centres,” said Hon Mhona.
The newly commissioned Norton Toll Plaza is expected to smooth the flow of traffic and generate revenue that will help in building more infrastructure, benefiting the community and boosting economic activity.
“The commissioning of this Norton Toll Plaza is a direct response to the increasing demands of our transport network. As traffic volumes continue to rise, we need to adopt innovative solutions to manage congestion, maintain our infrastructure and generate the revenue necessary to reinvest in further development.
“The revenue generated from this toll plaza will go directly into sustaining and improving our roads, ensuring that we have the resources to build the highways, bridges, and roads that will serve us for generations to come. Beyond financial contribution towards road maintenance, these toll plazas have become mini-hubs or nucleuses of economic growth as they attract several other sub-economic activities close to them,” Hon Minister said.
Ambulances will be deployed at strategic tollgates across the country as part of efforts to enhance emergency response services and improve road safety.
“Those of us who were with us yesterday in Juru for the launch of the road safety enforcement, education and awareness campaign heard us making pronouncements of the post-crash management programme, which will leverage on stationing ambulances equipped with medical paraphernalia and personnel at these Toll Plazas. They will respond to emergent calls in cases of accidents, for the purposes of evacuating the injured to medical facilities within 60 minutes of an accident. This speaks to the importance of these toll gates beyond the traditional view of road user fees or charges collection,” said Minister Mhona.
The Minister of State, Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland West, Hon Marian Chombo, commended the government for its efforts in infrastructure development, citing the Norton Toll Plaza as a prime example of progress in improving the province’s transport network.
Engineer Magomo outlined that the Norton Toll Plaza features four booths, an express lane, an abnormal loads lane, a solar system on the roof that powers the toll plaza, crash barriers, and rumble strips, showcasing state-of-the-art infrastructure.
Motorists passing through the Norton Toll Plaza were treated to a happy hour, courtesy of POTRAZ, POSB, and other stakeholders, allowing them to pass through for free, spreading joy and festive cheer.
The comissioning was attended by Chairmain of the Parliamentary Portifolio Committee on Transport Hon Tawanda Karikoga, ZINARA Board Chairman Dr George Manyaya, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport Engineer Joy Makumbe, Government officials, Traditional leadership and officials from the Ministry of Transport.
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Story by Jeremiah Gora
