Project

The project road is approximately 31km of road section from Chitipa to Ilomba (Tanzania Border). The project will be executed in three (3) Lots. • The first lot (Lot 1) covers a distance of 10km from Chitipa, km 0+000 to km 10+000; • The second lot (Lot 2) covers a distance of 10km from km 10+000 to km 20+000; and • The third lot (Lot 3) covers a distance of 11km from km 20+000 to km 31+000.

The scope of works involves upgrading works from earth to bitumen standard with improvements to horizontal and vertical alignments. The works will also include construction of bridges, box culverts and installation of numerous pipe culverts. Reduction in Vehicle Operating Costs Upgrading of the road will result in reduction of vehicle operating costs which constitutes the major benefit attributable to such new projects. Reduction in Travel Time and Cost The project will help reduce travel time from the agricultural areas. Passengers will now be paying less and spending less time on travel. Availability of buses and minibuses will greatly improve. Agriculture The area where the road passes is an agricultural area for mainly Irish potatoes and maize. The upgrading of the road will ease problems of transporting farm inputs and produce to and from various markets. Environmental and Health The upgrading will reduce the occurrence of dust and mud along the project area and thereby improving sanitation which means reduction in the spread of diseases which are airborne or waterborne. This will reduce the cost of medicines which would have been required to treat the people affected. The upgrading of the road will allow the communities good access to health facilities in town especially for referral cases.