The third phase of the Auas Road upgrading project has officially kicked off, with sections of the key southern Windhoek route set to be expanded to as many as three lanes in each direction in some sections over the next 12 months.
According to Lithon Engineering, the project’s technical expertise provider, Phase 3 will convert sections of Auas Road into a dual carriageway while upgrading major intersections to ease traffic congestion between the Southern Industrial Area and the southern parts of Windhoek, including Prosperita and the Grove Mall area.
The works will include the rehabilitation of existing road layers and upgrades to the Sean MacBride and Golf Street intersections.
A large culvert will also be constructed across the river between Suiderhof, also known as Bokkiesdorp, and Namcor, while a new median with streetlights and trees will be installed.
“Auas Road Upgrading Phase 3 has finally kicked off, with the project involving the rehabilitation of existing road layers, upgrading of major intersections including Sean MacBride and Golf Street, construction of a large culvert over the river between Suiderhof (Bokkiesdorp) and Namcor, and the installation of a new median with streetlights and trees; over the next 12 months, the project will deliver a dual carriageway with two to three lanes in each direction in some areas, as well as upgraded intersections, providing much-needed relief to the traffic bottleneck between the Southern Industrial area and the southern outskirts of Windhoek, including Grove Mall and the Prosperita Industrial area,” Lithon said.
The section between Hosea Kutako Drive and Blackwood Street is expected to accommodate three lanes in each direction, based on earlier traffic impact assessments.
Paved sidewalks are also planned as part of the development, in line with the City of Windhoek’s Non-Motorised Transport Strategy.
The Auas Road works form part of a broader government investment programme that also includes the upgrading of Dr Hage Geingob Road.
In July 2024, the Ministry of Works and Transport announced N$138 million for the two roads, aimed at improving traffic flow and road safety.
The ministry said about N$30 million was allocated to initial works, including clearing and debushing, stormwater drainage, small bridges and other roadworks, while N$108 million was earmarked for the subsequent phase.
China Railway Seventh Group was awarded the construction contract, while Lithon Project Consultants was appointed to provide technical expertise, with the Roads Authority of Namibia overseeing the project.
The contractor’s existing presence in Windhoek was expected to save about N$28 million through reduced site establishment and gravel material costs.
The broader project was also expected to create about 64 temporary jobs during construction.
The Roads Fund Administration previously indicated that the development would include a small market to accommodate businesses, particularly wood vendors operating near the end of Auas Road.
