Bulawayo’s rehabilitation of Lobengula Street, one of the city’s busiest transport corridors, is 35% complete, with authorities targeting full completion by the end of October.
The US$1.5m project is part of efforts by the Bulawayo City Council to restore deteriorating road infrastructure across the city.
Speaking during an inspection of the works on Tuesday, the council’s Acting Director of Works, Engineer Methusi Dibidi, said about US$800 000 had been spent so far.
“The works on Lobengula Street are estimated to cost approximately US$1.5 million, but to date we have spent US$800 000,” he said.
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“The overall progress we can put at 35% for the entire project.”
Lobengula Street serves as a major link between the western suburbs of Mzilikazi, Makokoba and Thorngrove and the central business district in Bulawayo.
Eng Dibidi said the rehabilitation covers a 1.7km stretch from Masotsha Ndlovu Avenue to 6th Avenue, as well as part of 3rd Avenue.
He said the road had exceeded its design lifespan and required urgent intervention.
“Lobengula Street had exceeded its design life and was due for urgent rehabilitation works to restore its structural integrity and service level,” he said.
The project includes full reconstruction of badly damaged sections between 3rd Avenue and 6th Avenue, while other sections are receiving asphalt overlays.
Council officials said the work has been split into four phases. The first phase, covering the stretch between 3rd and 4th Avenue and part of 3rd Avenue, has been completed and reopened to traffic.
The second phase, running from 4th to 6th Avenue, is currently underway and is expected to be completed by the end of August.
Eng Dibidi said the remaining overlay work should be finished by October.
But the project has faced several setbacks, including groundwater seepage, ageing underground infrastructure and equipment shortages.
“One of the challenges is groundwater. In this area there is a lot of water due to the high water table and dilapidated water and sewer mains,” he said.
He added that limited machinery had slowed progress.
“Our equipment is constantly in the workshop because of breakdowns. We have only one excavator, yet this work requires three,” he said.
“We also have only four tipper trucks, but ideally we need 10.”
Eng Dibidi said underground obstacles, including cotton clay soil and a ZESA 11kV cable, had also complicated excavation.
He added that some contractors and suppliers were demanding payment in foreign currency, creating further financial pressure.
Minister of State for Bulawayo Judith Ncube said the province had prioritised the use of devolution funds to address equipment shortages affecting local authorities.
She said provincial leaders had agreed that part of the 2025 devolution budget should be directed towards acquiring machinery and supporting health institutions.
“We identified gaps with government engineers and city council engineers and resolved to channel devolution funds towards addressing them,” she said.
The minister said the province was also exploring international partnerships to improve capacity, including possible support from Belarus for equipment procurement.
She urged local authorities to use limited resources more efficiently and focus on completing priority projects.
“Let’s avoid starting too many projects at once,” she said.
“Let’s focus on one road, complete it, and then move to the next.”
Minister Ncube also said residents were increasingly demanding accountability and better service delivery from the council, particularly over infrastructure and enforcement of city by-laws.
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