Mbeya. Motorists and other road users along the Tanzania-Zambia (Tanzam) Highway are beginning to experience relief from prolonged traffic congestion following the opening of 106 upgraded access points under the ongoing road expansion project.
The development coincides with the commencement of tarmac laying along a 1.3-kilometre stretch from Uyole towards Kabwe, forming part of the 29-kilometre Nsalaga-Songwe dual-carriageway project being implemented by the Tanzania National Roads Agency (Tanroads).
Road users say the changes have significantly reduced travel time, enabling them to reach their destinations more quickly.
They expect the completed project to improve transport infrastructure and stimulate economic activities.
Speaking to The Citizen’s sister newspaper Mwananchi, several drivers said opening the access routes had eased long-standing congestion, particularly along steep sections of the highway.
Commuter bus driver, Mr Bajani Issa, said the government’s directive requiring Tanroads to open alternative access routes in heavily congested areas had brought considerable relief to motorists.
He said opening the routes in high-traffic sections, including the steep Simike slope, had also created opportunities for economic activities by reducing travel time.
‘Before the intervention, traffic jams could leave vehicles stranded for hours, increasing the risk of accidents involving heavy lorries experiencing brake failures,’ he said.
He expressed optimism that the ongoing construction would further address challenges facing road users.
Similarly, a minibus driver operating between Soko Matola, Kabwe and Uyole, Mr Emily Emily, said opening the alternative routes and commencing tarmac laying marked a positive development for Mbeya’s transport infrastructure.
He commended Tanroads management for supervising the contractor around the clock, saying the 106 access points had significantly reduced traffic queues.
Traders are also beginning to benefit from the improved traffic flow, saying time previously wasted in congestion can now be devoted to their businesses.
A household goods trader, Ms Salome Aloyce, said travelling between Soko Matola and Igawilo to purchase supplies used to take her between three and four hours by public transport because of traffic congestion.
However, she said the situation had improved over the past three days following the opening of the alternative routes, enabling her to complete the journey much faster and concentrate on other business activities.
‘Completion of the project will bring further benefits to traders, transport operators and other members of the public who depend on the highway for their livelihoods,’ he said.
Other residents have urged the government to ensure timely disbursement of funds to enable Tanroads to sustain construction activities until the project is completed.
They noted that Mbeya is an important commercial and transport hub linking different parts of Tanzania with countries in Southern Africa.
Explaining the progress, Tanroads Mbeya Regional Manager, Mr Seleman Bishanga, said construction had accelerated following directives issued by Vice President Deogratius Ndejembi during his inspection tour of the region.
He said the Vice President had expressed concern over the slow pace of implementation and directed the immediate opening of alternative access points in congested areas to improve traffic flow while construction of the main highway continued.
Mr Bishanga confirmed that 106 access points had been opened and made available to road users.
He added that the Vice President had also directed the contractor to accelerate construction.
‘Although some sections had yet to receive tarmac, the first phase of asphalt laying had now covered 1.3 kilometres,’ said Mr Bishanga.
Following the directives, the Tanroads Chief Executive Officer and the Ministry of Works instructed the contractor to increase construction activities and operate around the clock.
Mr Bishanga said three kilometres of road remained to be completed within Mbeya Town, with construction progressing through various stages to ensure timely delivery.
He explained that laying tarmac would help control dust, improve travelling conditions and ease traffic congestion during construction.
He further said the Vice President was closely monitoring implementation and receiving daily progress updates.
Mr Bishanga assured him that construction teams were working day and night to complete the remaining three-kilometre section within Mbeya Town as scheduled.
He added that Tanroads had established mechanisms to monitor all 106 opened access points and promptly address emerging challenges to ensure the safety of road users as work on the main highway continued.
According to Mr Bishanga, the 29-kilometre project, stretching from Nsalaga to Ifisi in Songwe, worth over Sh138 billion, is expected to improve transport, reduce congestion and boost economic productivity across the region.
The contract was signed on February 14, 2023, with a 24-month implementation period awarded to China Henan International Cooperation Group Co Ltd (CHICO), under Tanroads’ supervision.