Roads Authority (RA) has assured that the forthcoming rainy season will not interrupt major works up to completion.
In a written response to The Nation’s questionnaire, the authority also provided an update on the progress of several key road and bridge projects.
RA spokesperson Lawrent Kumchenga said: “Contractors have been instructed to factor the coming rainy season into their work programmes and that, at this stage, weather is not expected to derail planned timelines.”
He said rehabilitation of the Chiweta–Karonga section of the M1 is expected to start in November and is scheduled to take 60 days.
Kumchenga said that on the M1 in Kasungu District, foundation works of Mpasadzi Bridge, which was severely damaged by floods earlier this year, is almost finalised.
“Once these are completed, the superstructure is expected to advance relatively quickly because most structural members are precast,” he said.
Kumchenga said the bridge has already been restored to a level that can safely accommodate vehicles of up to five tonnes while longer-term solutions are developed.
The authority also confirmed that rehabilitation of the M1 from Kamuzu International Airport towards Chiweta, covering more than 300 km, has been split into four lots.
In the flood-hit Shire Valley, the Malawi Government, with World Bank support, is preparing to rehabilitate washed-away sections, starting with the Thabwa–Bangula and Thabwa–Chitseko–Seveni roads.
Meanwhile, the Transporters Association of Malawi (TAM) fears that the forthcoming rainy season will have an impact on transportation, including the transportation of fertilisers and other commodities under the Farm Inputs Subsidy Programme (Fisp).
According to TAM spokesperson Frank Banda, the Chiweta–Karonga section of the M1 remains the most evident challenge as trucks transporting goods get stuck.
Construction Industry Association of Malawi board vice-chairperson Kondwani Kadango said in a telephone interview that although some projects can be implemented during the rainy season, poor planning can affect the works.
This comes as the Department of Meteorological Services has predicted that the Northern Region may experience normal to above-normal rainfall due to El Niño.
