A company named Leengate started checking how a new road might affect the environment near Mutare. They hired ELWAS to study what could happen when they built the 31.2-kilometer Christmas Pass By-Pass Road. This project aims to stop accidents at Christmas Pass, where trucks often lose brakes on steep hills. The government partnered with Leengate because almost every week, someone crashes there. The bypass will let heavy trucks avoid the dangerous curves.
The new road will go through Feruka outside Mutare city center. Trucks using this route usually head to Mozambique, Beira Port, Zambia, Malawi, or Congo. The Cabinet approved building this bypass, along with fixing the Sakubva Green Market Bridge. The entire project should take about 12 months to finish. Workers need to complete several steps before actual construction starts.
These early tasks include talking to local people, clearing the site, protecting the environment, studying the ground, making maps, moving utilities, and getting permits. Leengate put out a public notice last Thursday asking for comments until April 30, 2025. The company director, Mr. Commence Chivanga, said he cannot share much information because they must follow government rules.
Manicaland Provincial Roads Engineer Raphael Sugauke said all technical plans have been approved. The government completed its preparation phase and waits for the Treasury to review the financial terms. Advocate Misheck Mugadza, Minister for Manicaland, said work will start right after environmental studies and money approvals come through.
The environmental study helps reduce problems and increase the project's benefits. It looks for issues like habitat loss, pollution, soil damage, or people losing homes and jobs. The report goes to the Environmental Management Agency before work can begin. It helps officials make good decisions about the road.
The new road will go through Feruka outside Mutare city center. Trucks using this route usually head to Mozambique, Beira Port, Zambia, Malawi, or Congo. The Cabinet approved building this bypass, along with fixing the Sakubva Green Market Bridge. The entire project should take about 12 months to finish. Workers need to complete several steps before actual construction starts.
These early tasks include talking to local people, clearing the site, protecting the environment, studying the ground, making maps, moving utilities, and getting permits. Leengate put out a public notice last Thursday asking for comments until April 30, 2025. The company director, Mr. Commence Chivanga, said he cannot share much information because they must follow government rules.
Manicaland Provincial Roads Engineer Raphael Sugauke said all technical plans have been approved. The government completed its preparation phase and waits for the Treasury to review the financial terms. Advocate Misheck Mugadza, Minister for Manicaland, said work will start right after environmental studies and money approvals come through.
The environmental study helps reduce problems and increase the project's benefits. It looks for issues like habitat loss, pollution, soil damage, or people losing homes and jobs. The report goes to the Environmental Management Agency before work can begin. It helps officials make good decisions about the road.
