Staff Reporter

Government is continuing with the modernization and upgrading of major highways across the country with the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls road set to be rehabilitated soon.

In a statement yesterday, Matebeleland North Provincial Roads Engineer, Xolani Ncube said that the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls road would be restored to its former glory to meet the international standards.

“We are going to put new water culvert and restore the road to its former level. There are two points where water flows over the road and so we are going to increase that water culverts from 600mm to 1200mm to capture all the water coming from the trench created by the council,” said engineer Ncube.

Engineer Ncube added that the rehabilitation of the road would start by mending the damaged sections of the road that stretches from the Truck Stop turn towards Masuwe Bridge.

Ncube added that the road would be widened and revamped to meet international standards and allow the smooth flow of traffic.

Economic analyst, Terrence Chinyoka who spoke to this publication said that the rehabilitation of the road would go a long way in promoting tourism in the resort town of Victoria Falls.

“Tourism is about access and as such, accommodation and activities without proper access will not bring visitors. The bad state of the Victoria Falls-Bulawayo highway especially in the Hwange area is worrying. We welcome the rehabilitation and modernization of the road as it would boost tourism activities in Victoria Falls,” said Terrence Ncube

Meanwhile the New Dispensation has set aside ZWL 33 billion to fund Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP) to rehabilitate damaged roads and upgrade some roads to international standards.