• The emergency works involve approximately 327 kilometres of the Lusaka to Ndola Road.
• It includes rehabilitation of the 45 kilometres of the Luanshya to Fisenge to Masangano Road in Lusaka, Central and Copperbelt Provinces.
• The Concessionaire has fully mobilized and commenced works.

Road Development Agency (RDA) has disclosed that the Concessionaire engaged to upgrade to dual carriageway the Lusaka-Ndola highway under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Financing Model has commenced emergency works on the existing alignment.

Agency Acting Director-Communications and Corporate Affairs Anthony Mulowa, revealed that the emergency works involve approximately 327 kilometres of the Lusaka to Ndola Road including rehabilitation of the 45 kilometres of the Luanshya to Fisenge to Masangano Road in Lusaka, Central and Copperbelt Provinces.

Mr. Mulowa stated that the Concessionaire has fully mobilized and commenced works.

“The scope for the emergency works includes but is not limited to reconstruction, rutting repair, crack sealing and pothole patching for the 327 kilometres of the existing carriageway.

The construction of a trial section for slurry seal commenced on August 5, 2023 on 100 metres of the access road to Mulungushi University in Kabwe, while emergency works started on August 10, 2023,” Mr. Mulowa stated.

He said the Lusaka to Ndola Highway serves as a major corridor for international mining and trade in Southern Africa, connecting Zambia with other Northern countries, including Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Mr. Mulowa added that the road plays a crucial role as a key segment of Zambia’s main arterial road network known as the North-South Corridor, passing through major economic centres such as Lusaka, Kabwe, and the mining hub of Ndola.

“Currently, the Highway faces significant traffic congestion, which makes it difficult to meet the growing demands of transportation. To enhance the road’s capacity and level of service, and to accelerate Zambia’s economic development, it is imperative to improve the condition of the road network. This need is both essential and urgent.”

“According to the Concession Agreement, both parties agreed to address the existing road defects on the Highway to improve driving comfort and safety. Motorists and members of the public are therefore, advised to exercise caution during this period to facilitate for the smooth flow of traffic,” he added.

On February 28, 2023, MOIC-LN Consortium signed a Concession Agreement with the Zambian Government, for the upgrading to dual carriageway of approximately 327 kilometres from Lusaka to Ndola Road including rehabilitation of 45 kilometres of the Luanshya to Fisenge to Masangano Road.