Six-lane road project to address traffic congestion between Mbagala-Kongowe

Dar es Salaam. The government has announced plans to expand a section of Kilwa Road from Mbagala Rangi Tatu to Kongowe into a six-lane highway.

The announcement aims to address the persistent traffic congestion and frequent accidents in the Mbagala Mto Mzinga area.

This project, covering 3.8 kilometers, will also include the construction of a modern bridge over Mto Mzinga to improve traffic flow in the accident-prone area.

The Tanzania Roads Agency (Tanroads) is currently in the procurement phase, which is expected to conclude by February 2025.

Afterward, contractors will be selected to begin construction.

The announcement was made on Saturday, December 28, 2024, during a visit by Minister of Works Abdallah Ulega to inspect infrastructure development in the Ilala, Temeke, and Ubungo districts.

Tanroads CEO Mohamed Besta said the procurement process is nearing completion, and the project is expected to commence promptly.

“The procurement will be completed by January 31, 2025. We are working closely with the Dar es Salaam Regional Office to ensure the process is expedited,” said Mr Besta.

The Mto Mzinga bridge construction is being funded by the World Bank, which has allocated $70 million for the project.

Tanroads Dar es Salaam Regional Manager, Mr John Mkumbo, explained that two major projects would be carried out: the construction of a new bridge and the expansion of Kilwa Road to six lanes.

The current Mto Mzinga Bridge is 45 meters long, but the new bridge will be extended to 60 meters to accommodate the increased traffic flow.

“The new bridge will have 72 small pillars to align with the water flow in the area. We are currently compensating residents in the affected areas, though the process has been delayed due to concerns raised during the identification process,” said Mr Mkumbo.

“We aim to finalize compensation by the end of January 2025, with a total of Sh12.6 billion allocated for that purpose,” he added.

Speaking during the visit, Minister Ulega expressed optimism about the project, acknowledging the challenges faced by road users in the Mbagala area, particularly near the Kokoto-Mzinga River.

He reassured the public that work would soon begin to alleviate the notable problems.

“I urge road users to be patient. The road expansion and bridge construction will soon begin,” said Mr Ulega.

He also emphasised the need for Tanroads to select qualified contractors for the project.

“There are capable contractors in the country who can meet the required quality and timelines. Ensure you choose a competent contractor for the project execution,” added Mr Ulega.

Mbagala Constituency MP Abdallah Chaurembo emphasised the importance of the road, noting that it serves as a key gateway to Dar es Salaam from the southern regions.

He stressed the urgency of expediting the project to resolve traffic congestion, which often causes severe delays and accidents.

“Since becoming MP, I have witnessed numerous accidents and have personally been stuck in traffic for hours. This project must be expedited so that construction begins by March 1, 2025,” urged Mr Chaurembo.