The government has initiated the rehabilitation of the Murambinda-Birchenough Bridge Road, marking a significant step in the Second Republic’s efforts to modernize the country’s road network. The 120-kilometer stretch is now under construction, with the contractor already on site working on the first phase of the project.
Residents have welcomed the development, citing the challenges they faced in traveling between Murambinda and Birchenough Bridge, which previously took up to three hours. “We hope this project will be expedited as it connects us to other places. This was long overdue and we thank the government for intervening,” said one citizen.
The longest single stretch of gravel road in Manicaland will soon receive a facelift as part of the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme. The project includes resealing the road with a 20mm asphalt overlay, and machinery is already in place for the work to commence.
“The contractor is on target. All the machinery is on the ground. The contractor is starting works on sub-grade level on the other stretch, putting fill material to reach the design levels,” explained Patrick Muropa, Deputy Provincial Engineer for the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development (MOTID) in Manicaland.
On the bridge itself, the contractor, Engineer Shelton Ncube, reported progress, stating that bush clearing has been completed and the foundations and footings are now being prepared.
Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, expressed his satisfaction with the ongoing road rehabilitation efforts in the province, highlighting improvements on the Nyanga Ruvangwe road and ongoing works on the Nyanga-Birchenough route. “This is the Second Republic in action,” he affirmed.
The Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme is not just about laying asphalt; it’s about transforming communities, improving connectivity, and driving economic growth across the country.
