Zimbabwe | Final Phase of Harare - Beitbridge Highway, Critical Corridor for Tourism, Trade and Transport in the Country

The Harare - Beitbridge Highway, critical corridor for tourism, trade and transport in Zimbabwe, a landlocked country in Southeast Africa located between the Zambezi and the Limpopo Rivers, well known for its diverse wildlife, dramatic landscapes, national parks and safari areas is in its final phase.

Construction has resumed on the final 88 kilometres, marking the last stage of the major 580 - kilometres road upgrade, the A4 highway also known the R1 Highway, which runs between Harare, the capital and largest city of Zimbabwe in the country's Mashonaland region and Beitbridge, a border town in the province of Matabeleland in the south of the country, just north of the Limpopo River, about 1.0 km from the Alfred Beit Road Bridge which spans the Limpopo between Zimbabwe and South Africa.

The highway forms a strategic trade, transport and tourism corridor linking Zimbabwe, to the rest of the SADC, the South African Development Community region, financed by Austrian company Geiger International using BOT, build - operate - transfer model with a cost of US$998 million.

The upgrade route is expected to improve travel times, ease congestion, and strengthen regional economic integration by facilitating more efficient cross –-borders movement and reaching in a comfortable way localities of relevance such as Rutenga, Ngundu, Masvingo, Myuma and Chivhu.

Multiple contractors, including Masimba Holdings, Exodus and Company, Fossil Contracting and Bitumen World, are actively working to complete the flagship project between August and December 2025.

Following a recent site inspection, local officials expressed confidence in the pace of progress, highlighting near completion of key segments such as the Mucheke Bridge in Masvingo, city close to Great Zimbabwe, the national monument from which the country takes its name, Lake Mutirikwi with its recreational park, the Kyle Dam and Kyle National Reserve.

Once finalised, the highway is set to enhance both freight and tourism connectivity between Harare and the Beitbridge border post Zimbabwe' main link to South Africa.

Link - https://atta.travel/resource/final-phase-of-harare-beitbridge-highway-begins-in-earnest.html