The Ministry of Works and Transport says it will spend N$138 million on upgrading the Auas Road and the Dr Hage Geingob Road.
This project aims to enhance traffic flow, improve safety and create employment opportunities within the city.
Speaking at the groundbreaking of the new project, the Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, said the project will be undertaken in two phases.
The first phase, commencing immediately, allocates N$30 million for initial works. This nine-month phase will pave the way for the more extensive second phase which is scheduled to begin in the 2025/2026 financial year and will cost N$108 million.
“The project will be executed in two phases. Phase 1 will cost approximately N$ 30 million and consist of clearing and debushing, stormwater drainage, drainage structures (including small bridges) and other ancillary roadworks. The construction period for this phase is nine months. Phase 2 will commence at the beginning of the 2025/2026 financial year and will be completed within 12 months. The total cost of this phase is approximately N$ 108 million,” he said.
He also said that a portion of the road stretching from Hosea Kutako Drive up to Blackwood Street will be expanded to accommodate three lanes in each direction. This caters to the ever-increasing traffic volume experienced on this route.
“In addition, a portion from Hosea Kutako drive up to Blackwood Street will be converted to three lanes per direction as per the latest Traffic impact assessments and the provisions paved sidewalks as per the City of Windhoek’s Non-Motorized Transport Strategy. The Dr. Hage Geingob Road will also be upgraded to bitumen standards,” Mutorwa said.
In addition, the project is expected to generate approximately 64 temporary positions throughout the construction period.
China Railway Seventh Group, currently undertaking another construction project in Windhoek, has been awarded the tender.
Their existing presence in the city is projected to save an estimated N$28 million due to reduced site establishment and gravel material costs, Mutorwa said.
Lithon Project Consultants will provide expert advice throughout the project, while the Roads Authority of Namibia will oversee the entire management process.
Also speaking at the groundbreaking, Chief Executive Officer of the Roads Fund Authority Ali Ipinge said rehabilitation and upgrading were part of the package.
He said small businesses, especially wood vendors at the end of the road Auas Road, would be accommodated with a small market.
“Rehabilitation and upgrading are part of the package. This includes providing a small market for SMEs, especially wood vendors operating at the road’s end,” he said.
Ipinge said the newly constructed Peter Nanyemba Road is expected to be complete by the end of the year.
“For our capital city, we need to do more. As I mentioned at the launch of the widening and upgrade of the Peter Nanyemba Road last year, which commenced in August, we aim to complete this crucial project by the end of this year. This will significantly improve the lives of Katutura residents and all road users in the area,” he said.
The former Monte Cristo Road was commissioned for expansion into a dual-carriageway at a cost of N$ 381 million last April as part of a larger Ongos Valley Development project.
