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[QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 39998, member: 636"]
Harare opens the Mbudzi Interchange on Friday after more than two years of delays and budget problems. Transport Minister Felix Mhona promised construction would start in December 2021 and finish within one year. Work actually began in September 2022 when officials closed the busy traffic circle connecting three major roads. The project took much longer than planned and cost far more money than expected. Engineers finally completed the interchange but questions remain about the final price tag.

South African consultants estimated the project would cost 65 million dollars for basic construction work. Tefoma contractors added another 23 million dollars for detour roads and property compensation without public bidding. The government awarded the contract to this three-company group through private negotiations rather than open competition. Officials told drivers the new interchange would open by March 2024 but missed that deadline. Total project costs may reach 88 million dollars according to parliamentary discussions.

Senator Sengezo Tshabangu compared the expense to South Africa where similar projects cost less money per mile. Mount Edgecomb interchange cost only 77 million dollars despite being the largest in the southern hemisphere. Minister Mhona blamed international sanctions for higher construction costs in Zimbabwe. He said cement bags and other materials cost more because of economic restrictions. The government named the interchange Trabablas after President Mnangagwa.
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