DODOMA: DODOMA’S outer ring road has nearly halved travel time for heavy trucks, easing traffic congestion in the city centre while opening up new business opportunities for communities along the route.
The 112.3-kilometre dual carriageway is already transforming transport and trade ahead of its official commissioning in October.
Designed to divert cargo trucks and transit traffic away from the city centre, the road has become a key transport corridor linking the Ihumwa Dry Port with the Morogoro, Arusha, Singida and Iringa trunk roads.
The first phase of the project, covering 52.3 kilometres, has reached 93.3 per cent completion and is already in use.
Truck drivers say the new road has significantly reduced travel time.
“It has made our work much easier. Previously it took us more than one-and-a-half hours to travel from Ihumwa to Nala because of traffic congestion in the city. Now the same journey takes only about 45 to 48 minutes,” truck driver Simon Ndamanyilu said.
Inter-Consult Limited Project Engineer Morice Mlay said the road is serving both domestic and regional trade by providing uninterrupted movement of traffic.
“The road is already operational and motorists are enjoying uninterrupted travel because there is no congestion. Vehicles now move directly from Ihumwa to Nala and connect to the Iringa highway without stopping,” he said.
Eng Mlay said the four-lane highway has also been designed with a central reserve to accommodate future transport infrastructure, including a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, without requiring demolition of the existing road.
The new corridor has also stimulated economic activities, particularly around Nala, where a modern truck parking area has attracted traders and created new business opportunities.
Food vendor Mary John said the growing number of trucks and passenger vehicles stopping at the area has expanded her customer base.
“Many trucks and passenger vehicles now stop here. Drivers and passengers buy food and other necessities, giving us better business than before,” she said.
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Grain trader Veronica Alfred said she expects business to improve even further after the road is officially commissioned.
“If business is this good before the road is fully opened, we expect even more customers when traffic increases after the official launch,” she said.
Truck loader Mussa Rajab said the truck terminal has also created more employment opportunities for casual labourers handling cargo.
The first phase of the project is expected to cost 100.84bn/- upon completion and is projected to further improve traffic flow, facilitate regional trade and strengthen Dodoma’s position as the country’s administrative capital and transport hub.