Antony Chawagarira
Chiredzi – The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has announced the temporary closure of Chilonga Bridge Road in Chiredzi to facilitate essential rehabilitation works aimed at improving the safety and resilience of the transport infrastructure.
In a public notice issued on Friday, the Ministry said the Chiredzi–Chilonga–Chibwedziwa Road, commonly known as Chilonga Bridge Road, will be closed to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic from July 27 to October 27, 2026.
The closure will affect Chilonga Bridge and its immediate approaches, with road users advised to use the Triangle–Mbizo Road and other signposted alternative routes leading to Chiredzi and Chikombedzi.
The Ministry urged motorists, commuter transport operators and pedestrians to plan their journeys in advance and comply with traffic management measures that will be put in place during the rehabilitation period.
“Signage and traffic marshals will be deployed at key points to guide road users,” the Ministry said.
It added that the temporary closure is necessary to safeguard road users while ensuring the timely completion of the rehabilitation project, which forms part of the Government’s commitment under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and Vision 2030 to deliver safe, resilient and modern road infrastructure.
The Ministry apologised for the inconvenience caused and appealed for public cooperation throughout the rehabilitation period.
Meanwhile, the rehabilitation of Chilonga Bridge follows parliamentary approval of ZiG30 million for the construction of a new Chilonga Bridge in Chiredzi. The funding was highlighted in Parliament by Chiredzi Central legislator Ropafadzo Makumire, who sought an update on the disbursement of the approved funds and progress towards the project.
The Government says the rehabilitation works are part of ongoing efforts to improve the country’s road network under the “Kilometre by Kilometre” infrastructure development programme.
