Tanzania is making great strides in road infrastructure development, as it continues with the execution of 16 projects, covering over 603 kilometers at a cost of 1.4 trillion shillings. This effort is expected to facilitate economic activities and increase productivity across the country. The projects include the Mianzini-Olemringaringa-Sambasha road project, Ntendo-Muze-Kilyamatundu, Malagarasi-Ilunde-Uvinza, Karatu-Mbulu-Hydom-Sibiti-Lalago-Maswa, Matai-Kasesya, Ntyuka-Mvuni, and Tarime-Mugumu road projects.
Significance of Tarmac Roads and Bridges
According to the CEO of TANROADS, Engineer Rogatus Mativila, the government is prioritizing tarmac roads and modern bridges as they play a critical role in facilitating the movement of people and goods throughout the year. This, in turn, boosts socio-economic activities in the country. Engineer Mativila reassured the residents of Dar es Salaam that the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Phase II and III projects will be completed as planned, easing the traffic congestion that has been a persistent challenge in the city. He disclosed that BRT III was at a 5% progress rate as of March 2023.
Project Execution Progress
The TANROADS CEO also stated that BRT II was at 85% completion and is expected to be finished by October this year, despite various challenges faced during implementation. TANROADS is in the process of inking a contract for BRT IV, while funding for BRT V is already available from France.
He explained that preparations for a project begin in the present financial year of execution and continue in the coming financial years as outlined in the plans. Procurement for raw materials for executing a project could take up to a year to finalize. Therefore, projects planned for the financial year 2021/2022 were moved to the coming year, as a budget is usually lined up for the purpose of executing each project.
The Phase III BRT project is one of six phases the government is implementing as part of an effort to reduce congestion and travel time for people shuttling from one point to another within the city, stressed Tanroads BRT Project Manager Eng Barakael Mmari
“The contractor has started well by carrying out preparations for the kick start of the work…road construction for BRT buses is ongoing and the contractor will move to side roads after completion of the work,” said Eng Mmari.
