Blantyre, May 28, 2015: Blantyre City Council (BCC) on Wednesday announced the closure of Masauko Chipembere Highway from Yiannaks Roundabout to Standard Bank in Limbe with effect from Thursday, 28th May 2015 in order to pave way for smooth rehabilitation works currently underway.
In a statement sourced by the Malawi News Agency, BCC Public Relations Officer, Anthony Kasunda said the closure follows the congestion of vehicles along the segment that had been negatively affecting the progress of the road under construction.
“The congestion and the parking of the vehicles along this segment is affecting the progress of the work as the contractor is failing to bring heavy machinery on the site.
“As such the contractor has expressed fears that any continued disturbances would delay the completion of the project hence the decision to take such measures which we are fully aware that it may inconvenience a lot of people,” said Kasunda.
He added that following the complete closure of the Highway segment, the Churchill Road, (from Standard Bank to Illovo roundabout) would be opened to two way traffic and that there are some changes that have been made to ease traffic flow.
“Harper Road that runs from Mpingwe via Bangwe (Namatapa) to Mnthandizi will be fully utilized by light vehicles going and leaving Limbe (optional) while trucks from Mulanje via both Bangwe and Chigumula will proceed to and leave Limbe as usual.
“Upon reaching Illovo roundabout, vehicles will have to take Chiwembe/Raiply road and take a right turn to go into the earth road leading to Limbe Police Station to proceed into Dalton Road or Market Street to Standard Bank. In this case, it will be one-way traffic on both Limbe Police Station earth road and Market Street to Standard Bank,” he said.
Kasunda then advised motorists to desist from parking their vehicles in the construction area and that anybody found parking a vehicle in the area would be prosecuted by the Council.
He therefore appealed to the members of the public and motorists to strictly observe the road signs and directions.
Masauko Chipembere Highway Rehabilitation Project Phase 111 which is being done by the World Kaihatsu Kogyo Company Limited, is expected to be completed by November this year.
{google_map}Kamuzu Hwy, Blantyre, Malawi{/google_map}
