Road Rehabilitation Drive Promises Safer, Smoother Travel for Zambians
The Government, through the Road Development Agency (RDA), has reaffirmed its commitment to the rehabilitation and maintenance of road infrastructure across Zambia, emphasising efforts to protect the country’s road network amid increasing climate-related challenges.
Speaking at a year-end press briefing held at the RDA Head Office in Lusaka, RDA Board Chairperson, Eng. Eugene Haazele, said the Government remained proactive in safeguarding road infrastructure through continuous maintenance and rehabilitation programmes nationwide.
Eng. Haazele dismissed claims of negligence, stating that maintenance crews are stationed across the country and work consistently to address road defects and emerging risks.
He cited the disruption on the Great East Road at Sinjela, about 87 kilometres from the Kenneth Kaunda Roundabout, which occurred on December 25, 2025, following the failure of an ageing steel culvert due to heavy rainfall. The incident temporarily cut off the road.
To restore connectivity, the RDA installed a 30-metre Acrow Bridge as a temporary but safe crossing. The bridge was completed and opened to traffic within 72 hours, alongside the construction of a 600-metre temporary detour to facilitate traffic flow during installation works.
Eng. Haazele said a permanent structure would be constructed once the rainy season ends.
He further disclosed that inspections conducted on the Great East Road in February 2025 identified several critical sections requiring urgent attention, which will be prioritised under the 2026 Road Sector Annual Work Plan Budget.
The RDA Board Chairperson thanked road users for their patience and assured the public that maintenance activities would be intensified to prevent similar disruptions in the future.
On financing, Eng. Haazele revealed that Government had secured World Bank funding under the Transport Corridors for Economic Resilience (TRACER) Project, aimed at improving efficiency, connectivity and climate resilience of key regional transport and trade corridors in Eastern and Southern Africa.
Under the project, a viability study is planned for the dualisation of a 50-kilometre section of the T4 from Airport Roundabout to Chongwe, with procurement awaiting final World Bank clearance. In addition, feasibility studies and detailed designs for the rehabilitation of the 207-kilometre stretch from Chongwe to Luangwa Bridge have been awarded to Theme Engineering Services Pvt Ltd in joint venture with Core Consulting Engineers PLC, with works expected to conclude within seven months.
Civil works procurement will commence once designs are finalised and subject to the availability of financing.
Eng. Haazele also noted that the African Development Bank (AfDB) is funding condition surveys of all bridges and major culverts on the Core Road Network, as well as detailed structural assessments of bridges with spans exceeding 25 metres. Both initiatives are currently underway.
He explained that the RDA Strategic Plan places strong emphasis on road asset maintenance, improving infrastructure resilience to climate impacts and expanding maintenance activities to address failing culverts across trunk, primary and feeder roads.
According to Eng. Haazele, the Core Road Network comprises 6,554 bridge and culvert structures, including 585 bridges, 4,250 major culverts and 1,719 lesser culverts.
Meanwhile, Eng. Haazele said 2025 witnessed the implementation of large-scale road projects nationwide, with Government continuing to construct, rehabilitate and maintain public roads to enhance the efficiency of goods and services movement.
He added that the RDA has continued to construct fixed weighbridges and operate mobile weighbridges across the Core Road Network to regulate heavy goods vehicles and protect road infrastructure from premature damage caused by overloading.
However, he expressed concern over persistent overloading, particularly by tipper trucks, warning that the practice significantly reduces road lifespan and undermines Government investment.
Eng. Haazele also raised concern over the continued encroachment on road reserves, reminding the public that such reserves are legally gazetted under the Public Roads Act and that encroachment remains an offence.
He reaffirmed that the RDA remains committed to developing and preserving a safe, efficient and sustainable road network for the benefit of all road users.
