IRINGA: The government is in the final stages of launching the expansion of the Kitonga Road section in Iringa Region, which will be upgraded into a four-lane highway with street lighting.
Minister for Works, Abdallah Ulega announced this noting that the move aims at reducing traffic congestion and improving safety for road users along the busy route.
Speaking during an inspection tour of the more than seven-kilometre stretch earmarked for expansion, the minister noted that the road is strategically important to the country’s economy as it is also used by vehicles transporting cargo to and from neighbouring countries that rely on the Port of Dar es Salaam.
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“This road will now have four lanes of which two are going and two returning, where currently there are only two lanes in total. We will also install street lights throughout to ensure the road remains passable and safe at all times,” he said.
Elaborating on the growing need for expansion, he said traffic volumes along the TANZAM Highway have increased from 1,700 vehicles per day to 3,400 vehicles per day, leading to congestion along the Kitonga stretch.
“I have received proposals from the TANROADS Iringa Manager to address traffic congestion on the Kitonga escarpment, and I have directed our experts to expand this seven-kilometre section. Currently, the road has two lanes, so we will widen it to four,” he said.
He added; “I have ordered procurement processes to begin immediately to ensure this road is expanded, given its critical importance to the national economy. We cannot leave it in its current state, and we must fulfil the President’s directive to address all existing challenges.”