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Bitumen World says it has undertaken additional works to improve environmental aesthetics around the traffic circle at the intersection of Harare Road, Gaydon Road and Rolf Avenue at no added cost to the client, City of Harare.

The Traffic Circle is a product of the contract between client, Harare City Council and contractor, Bitumen World, funded by Zimbabwe National Roads Association (Zinara), agreed to in February this    year.

The scope of the initial project was to rehabilitate Harare Drive between Borrowdale and Drew roads, a total of 4,5 kilometres, by strengthening and widening the road to a full 10metres. 

“Towards the end of the twelve-week project, Bitumen World was awarded the additional works to construct a traffic circle at the Harare Drive, Gaydon Road, Rolf Avenue intersection.

“Further to the general construction of the Traffic Circle, Bitumen World were granted the rights by City of Harare to carry out horticultural services in and around the Circle,” the company said.

Over and above any commitments Bitumen World took financial responsibility for the landscaping of the traffic circle and surrounding quadrants to create much more pleasant and scenic environment.

It implemented an irrigation system, erected solar powered street lights, manufactured elephant tusk furnishings and topped it off with blue lighting effects at no additional cost to client or rate payers. 

“It’s there for the community to enjoy,” says Bitumen World managing director, Andre Zietsman.

“This was a joint commitment from all three parties of which everyone fulfilled their role resulting in the beautification of Harare for the benefit of its road users.”

The Harare City Council is currently rehabilitating its roads with the help of private contractors Bitumen World and has acquired $19 million worth of equipment using the $30 million multi-bank  facility.

As part of the exercise, many roads across the city will be repaired following the allocation of $12,9 million by government.

For the whole city, the authority is working with a five-year rolling programme, which will require nearly $500 million to get the roads to a good, trafficable state.

Most of the city’s 6 000 kilometre road network has not had any meaningful repairs or maintenance in more than 15 years and excessive rains experienced during the last agricultural season worsened the situation.