Masvingo road project in limbo

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EIGHT months after the government injected $500 000 towards the construction of a traffic circle at a killer intersection along the Masvingo-Beitbridge highway, the project is still not complete.

EIGHT months after the government injected $500 000 towards the construction of a traffic circle at a killer intersection along the Masvingo-Beitbridge highway, the project is still not complete. TATENDA CHITAGU OWN CORRESPONDENT

The government released money for construction of the roundabout to slow traffic in response to a public outcry following numerous fatal accidents at the intersection along one of the country’s busiest highways.

The roundabout is being constructed at the intersection linking the high-density suburbs of Mucheke and Rujeko as well as Morningside and the Great Zimbabwe University to Masvingo town. Most roads branch off from the junction near Masvingo Polytechnic and a number of fatal accidents have been recorded there, particularly at night.

“While it was a timely intervention and welcome development to start construction of the roundabout, we feel the project should have been completed long back as delays are leading to more traffic congestion and confusion,” Anozivaishe Muguti, programmes co-ordinator of the Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers’ Association, said.

Transport and Infrastructural Development permanent secretary Munesu Munodawafa recently attributed the delays to underground infrastructure like water and sewer pipes from the Masvingo City Council saying they could not just demolish the structures.