- – the P4 billion worth trade corridor is expected to be complete in 2027
The 200-kilometre Francistown-Nata road reconstruction project currently stands at a 45 percent complete stage, with roadworks progressing well despite setbacks caused by heavy downpours at the beginning of the year.
Addressing Tutume District Council this week, Okavango Africa Consortium Development manager Moemedi Gabana indicated that works of the project are on schedule, despite the minor setbacks encountered at the beginning of the year.
“Our teams had to mitigate the lost time. We divided our work force into a number of teams to work on several sections of the project. The highway has been sub divided into sections with the teams working on each section,” Gabana explained.
He continued, “we are using a fire jet strategy to fasten progress of the project from all ends. There is team working on the road from Nata, another team at Mosetse and the third team working from Francistown all the way to Mathangwane.”
Gabana said the Francistown -Mathangwane stretch asphalt surfacing is underway, with the section expected to be opened to traffic between end of June and early next month.
“Traffic is expected to be diverted on the first 30-kilometre section of the road as early as end of June or early July this year. Our Francistown team is working flat out on that stretch.”
Gabana assured that the Okavango Africa Consortium has the best equipment doing the asphalt lay and ensuring that the surfacing is smooth, to give motorist the best experience on this new road.
Apart from road reconstruction of the A3 highway, the project also involves three major bridges along this trade corridor.
And Gabana revealed that works on the Shashe bridge in Mathangwane are at an advanced stage, noting that they are constructing a new wider bridge to accommodate the dual carriageway.
“So far, the pillars are almost complete, steel manufacturing for the bridge deck is ongoing as we speak. The bridge in Nata will be refurbished, since the road there is not being dualized due to budget constraints,” he indicated.
Meanwhile, the development manager has revealed that 90 percent of the property owners affected by the project has been compensated and relocated. Since works on the A3 highway started Okavango Africa Consortium has employed 1000 people from the communities along the highway. Construction of the P4 billion worth trade corridor is expected to be complete in 2027.
