COMPENSATION delays to property owners around the Mbudzi Interchange have derailed the project which was meant to be opened to traffic yesterday, it has emerged.
Considerable progress has been registered in the construction of the Mbudzi Interchange although it has missed the July 31 deadline.
When NewsDay visited the site yesterday, scores of workers were busy working on the US$88 million project which is taking shape, albeit outside the deadline.
A senior worker told NewsDay that the issue of compensation was one of the reasons project completion was delayed.
“We still have property owners who are yet to be compensated. Thirteen out of the fifteen bridges have been completed and beams are now on site. We have some roads which have been tarred,” he said.
Resident engineer Emmanuel Dube said significant progress had been made in constructing the interchange, with over 67% of the project complete.
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“The work is now 67% complete and the major works remaining are earthworks and civil works,” he said.
Transport minister Felix Mhona was said to be attending meetings when NewsDay sought comment.
With some of the pre-stressed beams already on site, developers are now focusing on finishing the remaining bridges.
They will soon start laying the road surface and installing essential safety features like guardrails and signage on the continental biggest interchange outside South Africa.
In addition, work is ongoing to conclude network integration and develop modern aesthetics around the interchange.
Network integration refers to the process of seamlessly connecting the new interchange with the existing road network.
This involves physically connecting the ramps and lanes of the interchange to existing roads. This may involve the construction of new on-ramps, off-ramps and auxiliary lanes to handle increased traffic volumes.
The total cost, US$88 million, has been broken down into US$65 million going towards the interchange structure and US$23 million being allocated for vital works such as detours, relocation costs and professional fees.
The interchange is being constructed by Tefoma Construction, a joint venture comprising local firms Tensor Systems, Fossil Contracting and Masimba.
The project is being funded through a loan from Fossil Mines (Private) Limited, the parent company of Fossil Contracting.
The Mbudzi roundabout along the Harare-Masvingo Highway is being upgraded to an interchange involving major roads of High Glen, Simon Mazorodze and Chitungwiza.
Currently, it can take up to three hours to pass through the Mbudzi junction during peak hours due to traffic congestion.
The project involves the construction of a three-tier grade-separated intersection with 15 major bridge structures, several of which have been completed while others are at different stages of completion.