BULAWAYO City Council (BCC) has allocated US$1.5 million towards the rehabilitation of Lobengula Street and the installation of a new sewer system, with the project expected to be completed by the end of October.

Work on the project commenced in April after the local authority notified residents and stakeholders that Lobengula Street, one of Bulawayo's busiest transport corridors, would be temporarily closed to allow for pavement reconstruction, road overlays, storm-water drainage improvements, reinstatement of carriageway markings and other routine maintenance works.

In an interview yesterday, BCC Acting Director of Works, Engineer Methusi Dibidi, said approximately US$800 000 had already been spent on the project.

Before the closure, council assured the public that the project would deliver long-term benefits despite the inconvenience caused by the works.

"Once completed, these works will prolong the life of the carriageway, improve road safety and ride quality. Every effort has been made to ensure disruption to traffic, businesses and residents is kept to a minimum. However, the road closure will inevitably cause some disruption, and for this, the City of Bulawayo wishes to apologise in advance," said council before the road was closed.

In an interview yesterday, BCC Acting Director of Works, Engineer Methusi Dibidi, said approximately US$800 000 had already been spent on the project.

"The works on Lobengula Street are estimated to cost approximately US$1.5 million but to date we have spent US$800 000.

The overall progress stands at more than 35 percent complete for the entire project," he said.

Engineer Dibidi said the road had outlived its design lifespan, making major rehabilitation works and the installation of a new sewer system necessary.

He said progress had, however, been affected by several challenges, including groundwater seepage, ageing underground infrastructure and equipment shortages.

"The area has a lot of underground water as a result of a high water table, so that presents challenges during the rehabilitation of the road," said Engineer Dibidi.

The Lobengula Street project is part of a broader programme by the local authority to rehabilitate key roads and intersections across the city.

Last year, council spent about US$1 million rehabilitating sections of Lobengula Street and Third Avenue, roads that had become heavily damaged by potholes and increasingly difficult for motorists to navigate.

The two roads serve as major entry and exit routes into the city and carry significant volumes of traffic, particularly commuter omnibuses operating along the Luveve Road corridor, which links the city centre with suburbs including Entumbane, Njube,

Lobengula, Emakhandeni, Gwabalanda, Luveve, Nguboyenja and Cowdray Park.

Before the rehabilitation works, the intersection of Lobengula Street and Third Avenue had become a major source of frustration for motorists due to its deteriorating condition.

The roads have since been reopened to traffic, significantly improving travel conditions for both public transport operators and private motorists. The rehabilitation works also included the replacement of problematic culvert pipes that were frequently blocked, creating recurring maintenance challenges for council teams.

A culvert pipe facilitates the flow of water beneath roads, railways and other structures and plays a critical role in preventing flooding and water accumulation on road surfaces.

Three years ago, council undertook one of its most complex road rehabilitation projects when it upgraded a section of Luveve Road near Renkini, close to the Engen Service Station, and carried out works on the Mazai River Bridge.

The project tested the city's engineering capacity as the scope of work expanded considerably after crews encountered underground water, expansive clay soils and ageing water and sewer infrastructure within the construction zone.

Despite the challenges, the rehabilitation and upgrade works were successfully completed at the end of November 2023.