By Staff Reporter
Construction has started on a new interchange at the intersection of Harare Drive and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Expressway (formerly Airport Road) in Harare, as the government advances its programme to modernise the city’s transport infrastructure.
Contractors have begun land clearance to prepare the site for major works. Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Advocate Felix Mhona led a delegation on a site tour yesterday.
The new interchange, located along the busy Harare–Mutare Highway, will feature an overpass to separate traffic flows, reducing congestion and enhancing trade along this key corridor. Engineer Virginia Mawere, Deputy Director of Construction at the Ministry, noted that the interchange is part of the Greater Harare Interchanges Project, targeting congestion hotspots across the capital.
“The scope of work entails an overpass raising the Harare–Mutare Road, with traffic lights regulating vehicles entering and exiting Mabvuku underneath. The aim is improved safety, reduced travel times, and enhanced trade,” Engineer Mawere said.
The project complements ongoing works including the Mabvuku Interchange, which is due for completion in September, the Delport Trumpet Interchange, and upgrades to 19 kilometres of Delport Road linking Airport and Seke Roads. Additional interchanges are planned at Seke Road, Masasa, Harare Drive-Mutare Road, Harare Drive-Liberation Legacy Way, Nemakonde Way-Harare Drive, Sam Nujoma-Harare Drive, Westgate Traffic Circle, Kuwadzana Traffic Circle, and Churchill/Liberation Legacy Way. Temporary diversion routes have been implemented at some sites to maintain traffic flow.
The developments form part of a broader national strategy under Vision 2030 to reduce congestion, lower road fatalities, and modernise Zimbabwe’s road network. Recent projects include the Trabablas Interchange, linking Simon Mazorodze, High Glen, and Chitungwiza Roads, and the ongoing Harare–Masvingo–Beitbridge Highway modernisation, with fewer than 30 kilometres remaining out of the 585 km project.
President Mnangagwa has emphasised the Second Republic’s commitment to accelerating infrastructure development as part of efforts to advance the country towards upper-middle-income status.
This project is part of the wider integrated road upgrades around the capital and is a strategic intervention to:
✅Reduce Congestion: streamlining traffic flow
✅Finalise the connection for the Harare Drive ring road
✅Improve Airport Access: reducing travel times to R.G. Mugabe International Airport
