Partial lane closures as Morogoro Road expansion project to be in full swing

Dar es Salaam. A section of the Morogoro Road, stretching from Kimara Terminal to Kimara Roundabout, will be partially closed to pave the way for expansion works by the Chinese contractor, Sichuan Road and Bridge Group Corporation Ltd (SRBG).

The partial closure will see a lane reserved for heavy vehicles, with the light vehicles, including commuter buses, tricycles, and motorbikes, slated to use a diversion road set up by the contractor.

“Residents and road users are cautioned to adhere to traffic signs and cooperate with flaggers directing them to use reserved roads in the project area. The flaggers will coordinate with the traffic police,” reads part of the statement jointly issued on Friday, August 30, 2024, by the contractor and the Tanzania National Roads Agency (Tanroads).

Contacted by The Citizen, the Tanroads traffic road safety engineer, Mr Dhahiri Msemo, said the project area would alternatively be subjected to partial closures for the next 18 months.

“The highway expansion commenced in November last year, 2023, aimed at increasing one lane for one vehicle on either side of the road aimed at upgrading to eight lanes,” he said.

He said the partial closures aim to road safety while the contractor would continue to undertake deep excavation works.

Sharing more insights, Mr Msemo said a section of the road connection between Kimara and KIbaha had been upgraded to eight lanes, something that would extend to the John Kijazi Interchange Bridge.

Tanroads categorically stated before the commencement of the project that the road expansion project would not involve the demolition of any property in the area.

“This section of the road expansion is part of a broader initiative to convert the road into an eight-lane highway, including two lanes for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT),” the agency was quoted as saying.

Its reconstruction began several years ago with demolitions in areas between Kimara Mwisho and Kibaha, but Tanroads' CEO, Mr Mohamed Besta, confirmed that no further demolitions were planned.

He said the current project phase involved clearing, grubbing, and constructing road embankments.

The project, funded by the International Development Association (World Bank) for Sh83.8 billion, is expected to be completed by May 2025.

To date, physical progress stands at 2 percent with the advance payment of Sh12.2 billion already made.

Tanroads believes the expansion is crucial due to the rising number of vehicles and increasing congestions.

Feedback from residents has been positive, with many appreciating that their properties will not be affected.

Ms Sarah Ombeni, a frequent user of the road, noted the congestion issues and welcomed the expansion.

A Bajaj driver, Mr Nasri Abdalah, also emphasised the importance of the upgrade for improving traffic flow.