UJENZI WA BARABARA LUTUKIRA -SONGEA KUFUNGUA MILANGO MIPYA YA KIUCHUMI

The government has continued to make Ruvuma Region a model in improving transport and transportation infrastructure by implementing the construction project of the 100-kilometer Lutukira-Songea asphalt road along with a 16-kilometer bypass road, costing 158.671 billion shillings. Speaking at the launch of the project, the Minister for Works, Hon. Abdallah Ulega, said that the road was built more than 40 years ago, so it is time for major improvements to meet current transport and transportation needs. He explained that the construction of the road to asphalt standards will reduce travel time, reduce transport and fare costs, increase road user safety as well as reduce the operating costs of transport vehicles. For his part, the Ruvuma Regional Commissioner, Brigadier General Ahmed Abbas Ahmed, said that the Songea-Makambako road is among the strategic projects that have a significant contribution to stimulating economic development and social welfare in the southern regions of Tanzania. He added that Ruvuma Region is a hub for food production and trade. The completion of the road will facilitate the transportation of crops and goods to various markets, reduce transportation costs, increase trade and investment opportunities, as well as open new doors for economic growth in the region and the nation as a whole. Meanwhile, TANROADS Ruvuma Regional Manager, Engineer Saleh Juma, said the Government has decided to rebuild the road with a level of asphalt capable of supporting heavy vehicles. He explained that the project will involve the construction of a total of 116 kilometers of asphalt road, one major bridge, 11 minor bridges, 2,436 culverts, as well as the expansion of the road from 6 meters wide to 11 meters. In addition, the road will be built in five layers to increase its durability and capacity to carry heavy loads, it will also involve the installation of 2,224 street lights and the construction of a new modern scale to control the weight of vehicles.