Interesting news about TAZARA flyover

THE Minister for Works, Transport and Communication, Prof Makame Mbarawa, has called upon the contractor of the long awaited Tazara flyover to fast-track the project aimed at eliminating congestion in Dar es Salaam.

Prof Mbarawa made the call in the city yesterday during his tour of the project at the junction of Nelson Mandela Expressway and Nyerere Road.

"Although this work is scheduled to be completed in 2018, we are pushing the contractor, Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Company (SMCC) to complete it before the contractual period to allow our people to use the facility," Prof Mbarawa said.

Prof Mbarawa added: "This is the first flyover to be built in our country, many of them will be constructed in future, but this one is so crucial for our lives. This is why we are pushing for the work to be completed in time.

He, however, called upon road users including pedestrians and motorists to be patient in case of they encounter inconveniences as the contractor implements the project.

The Resident Engineer from Oriental Consultants Global, Mr Kiyokazu Tsuji, said that the project has so far been implemented by 13.7 per cent.

He said that they are confident of completing the work as planned because the progress achieved by September, this year, corresponds with their work plan. He said that the preparations for actual construction of flyover were underway and the work is set to begin soon.

Funded by Japanese government through grant aid, the project is expected to cost US $45m upon completion.

According to the contract the three-year project is scheduled to be completed in October 2018. Meanwhile, Prof Mbarawa visited the new bridge at Buguruni area across Mandela Road which has been completed by 95 per cent.

He said the government decided to construct the bridge following the number of accidents in the area.

"More than 5,000 people were crossing this area, thus the completion of the project will help not only pedestrians, but also reduce traffic congestion which was caused by people who were crossing the road," Prof Mbarawa said.

According to Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS), the six month project has cost 1.2b/- .

Currently, the contractor, SKOL Building Contractors Limited is finalising the construction of a fence across the road so that all people can use the bridge to cross the road.

The work will be completed within a week.