Completion of Cross Mabale–Cross Dete Road Stretch Expected by December 20

By Itai Mazire

Asphalt Products Project Manager for Lot 6, Engineer Panganai Mataure who is overseeing the major road rehabilitation programme from Cross Mabale to Cross Dete has revealed that the company is racing against time to complete a critical 16-kilometre (km) stretch before the Christmas shutdown on 20 December 2025.

Eng Mataure said the project aims to widen a 51-km section from the 252+600 km to 303+600 km peg. He noted that the team is expanding the road from 7 to 9 metres and adding a 150-millimetre (mm) cement-stabilised base layer before surfacing.

“As of today, significant progress has been made. Clearing of the roadsides has been completed from Cross Dete to Cross Mabale. The 16 km benching on the right-hand side (RHS) is complete from Cross Mabale to Cross Dete, and 12 km of the same has been covered to date and is still in progress,” he said.

Eng Mataure added that despite several challenges, major strides have been made in rehabilitating the road. He said subgrade fill material for the road-width extension is ongoing, with 10 km already completed.

He emphasised the urgency of completing the remaining 6 km before the holiday break. “We are committed to finishing the work on time to ensure the road meets the increased holiday traffic demands,” he said.

The project scope includes priming and surfacing with a 19 mm or 10 mm double-seal surface layer once the base is complete. Eng Mataure said meeting the deadline is crucial to avoid delays and to ensure community safety during the busy festive season.