Kilwa Road project in quick progress

THE Upgrading of Kilwa Road project in Dar es Salaam city whose construction works started in early 2007 is expected to end up by end of this year. The project involves the widening of the existing 12 Kms two lanes single carriageway road between Bendera Tatu and Mbagala Rangi Tatu to a four lane dual carriageway bitumen road with a provision for pedestrian walkways on each side. On its completion, there will also be a provision for the Bus Rapid Transit project which will be implemented by the Dar es Salaam city council. Tanzania Roads Agency (TANROADS) which has been charged with the responsibility for its upgrading on behalf of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development in the country, has determined to provide a solution to the unbearable traffic congestion problem facing users. The road which is being upgraded by a Japanese construction firm, M/S Kajima Corporation Limited into a dual carriage way is part of the main urban ring roads in the city of Dar es Salaam that links with the southern Tanzanian regions. The road serves traffic destined to and from various centers such as Kariakoo, Temeke district and the main city center. Based on this high traffic volume and the poor condition of the road, congestion especially at peak hours in the morning and evenings necessitated the expansion and upgrading of the road.

A completed section of a two lane single carriageway between Mtoni Mtongani and Rangi Tatu portion of the Kilwa Road in Dar es Salaam under final touches

In 2003, the government decided to widen the road due to the increase in traffic. Initially the plan was to start with the construction of the two kilometers stretch between the Port Access road junction at the Tanzania Institute of Accountancy and Mtoni Kwa Azizi Ally. The detailed design for the two kilometers was carried out and tenders for works were invited in October 2004. While evaluation of the tenders was in progress, the government of Japan offered to finance the widening of the whole road from Bendera Tatu to Mbagala Rangi Tatu including its design and supervision in response to a request which had earlier been made by the government of Tanzania. The detailed design for the whole road was carried out by construction project consultant Inc (CPC) of Japan and completed in October 2006. Tenders for construction were invited in November 2006 and the evaluation of the tenders was carried out in December 2006. Three Japanese firms namely Daio Nippon Construction, Kajima Corporation and Konoike construction participated. Following the evaluation of the tenders, Kajima Corporation Ltd, emerged the winner and a contract was signed in Japan between TANROADS on behalf of the government of Tanzania and M/S Kajima corporation for a contract price of Tshs. 10.3 billion. TANROADS was represented by its Chief Executive Officer. The contract period inclusive of mobilization periods is one year with effect from March 2007. The contract covers the first 5 kilometers from Bendera Tatu. The next 7 kilometers followed after the proposed exchange of notes between the governments of Tanzania and Japan during this year’s 2008/09 financial year. According to the work plan, the contractor commenced preparatory works for the 5 kilometer section in 2007. This is the second phase construction project which was signed in May 2007. Japan signed an agreement with Tanzania for 15.5 bn/- it was signed by the then Permanent secretary of the Ministry of Finance Mr. Gray Mgonja. The road on its completion is said to be one of the most modern in the city with provision for the coming Rapid commuter buses. In June 2006, the Japanese government assisted Tanzania with 12.6 bn/- for the first phase of the same project covering five kilometers. The rehabilitation of a total 12 kilometers along Kilwa Road included movement of the traversal drainage structure, bus stops, traffic signs and other related underground facilities. Earlier the government took to task the demolition exercises of the houses to pave the way for its expansion.