By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Construction has officially commenced on the Dema Toll Plaza along the Chitungwiza-Hwedza highway, set to replace the existing Dema tollgate. In a related development, the Esbank tollgate along Mazowe Road is also slated for relocation, a process that will create two separate tollgates in the area.
The decision to relocate the Esbank tollgate was revealed by Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona in a Government Gazette published last Friday.
The notice outlined specific new locations for the tollgates.
“It is hereby notified, in terms of section 6 of the Toll Roads Act [Chapter 13:13] that the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development intends to relocate the Esbank tollgate to the following sites: One along Mazowe-Bindura Road Chainage 48.6 to 50.4, and one along Mazowe-Mvurwi Road Chainage 46.2 to 47.2,” read part of the notice.
Further details indicated that along the Mazowe-Bindura Road, the proposed site would be situated between 8 to 9.8 kilometers from the junction of the Mvurwi Turnoff, while the new site along Mazowe-Mvurwi Road would be located between 5.6 to 6.6 kilometers from the junction.
Regarding the construction of the Dema toll plaza, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has confirmed that certain roads will be closed as part of the project.
“The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, through its Department of Roads, is currently undertaking the construction of the Dema Toll Plaza and associated infrastructure along the Chitungwiza-Hwedza Highway. This project is being carried out in accordance with Statutory Instrument 47 of 2021 (Declaration of State of Disaster, Road Infrastructure Network), with CMED Contracting serving as the contractor,” the Ministry stated.
As the construction progresses, motorists and local residents are advised to remain alert for changes to road conditions and potential detours in the area.