Harare – A bridge featuring piling technology never before used in Zimbabwe was commissioned on Tuesday, as Transport Minister Felix Mhona announced the government is now left with an estimated 35 kilometres to complete the entire Harare–Beitbridge road.

The Manyame River Bridge, located along the Harare–Masvingo–Beitbridge Road, is the first in the country to incorporate specialised deep-piling techniques, with 40 piles driven up to 25 metres down to solid rock. The 110-metre deck structure is designed for a 100-year lifespan, meeting SADC standards.

“For highway bridges, we undertake piling where we construct a deep foundation by drilling holes far into the ground until we reach solid rock,” said Engineer Bara of Tensor. “For the Manyame River Bridge, we guarantee that it is 100 percent strong.”

Speaking at the commissioning event, Mhona acknowledged that many Zimbabweans were unaware of the structure’s existence. “Many of you never knew that there was a bridge here,” he said.

The Minister then unveiled a string of new interchanges and highway refurbishments aimed at boosting regional trade. “We are left with an estimated 35 kilometres to complete the Harare–Beitbridge road,” Mhona announced.

He confirmed several interchanges are set for completion. “We are set to also complete several interchanges, including the one at Rothmans, near ZBC, and another one that is already there at Simon Mazorodze. Our promise is to complete this project as soon as possible.”

Looking ahead, Mhona outlined a busy schedule for the second half of the year. “By August, September we will be focusing on refurbishing the Chirundu highway because we are refurbishing Chirundu–Harare, Harare–Beitbridge road, and also at Chirundu border post. We are doing this with the aim of ensuring the interconnectedness of our trade corridor.”

The Minister added that the Second Republic, as a listening government, is also set to refurbish the Landas Mahusekwa road. “When we are told by citizens what they want, we quickly put those requests into action,” he said.

Detailing urban decongestion plans, Mhona said: “Going north from Trabablabs interchange, we are set to work on Willowvale road and we pass through Glen View towards Mufakose junction, towards Kuwadzana right through to Kirkman road. We will then connect these roads to Chirundu via Charles Prince; we will also connect these roads to Parliament. We aim to decongest.”

On the eastern corridor, he noted: “East side we are already refurbishing Seke road, but we are also set to refurbish Delport road so that we make it easier for those traffic east to directly go on their routes without passing through town. Traffic will have to pass through Manyame to Mabvuku.”

Mhona said all these actions are based on President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s vision of connecting the country’s roads. “Our aim is to dualise the country’s major roads. We have a lot of work to do; we will strive to do more. We are happy to action – do not hesitate to point out to us the roads that need emergency attention.”

Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs Minister Itai Ndudzo noted the province is now the only one in Zimbabwe with two interchanges exiting its capital. He praised President Mnangagwa’s leadership.

The Manyame River Bridge project created jobs for 110 local workers, including women, according to the ministry. Officials cautioned road users against speeding amid concerns over the country’s road accident statistics.

The ceremony was attended by Nkosinathi Ncube, ZINARA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), officials from the traffic safety and road fund agency heads, as well as parliamentary officials. No specific timeline was given for the Mahusekwa project, but officials reiterated the administration’s commitment to completing outstanding works on the North-South Corridor.