The Prince House-Giporoso-Masaka road is set for a major transformation, with the existing two-lane road being expanded to four lanes and new flyovers, underpasses and interchanges planned to ease traffic on the busy Kigali corridor.
The 10.4-kilometre project was officially launched Tuesday, Sept. 8, with the government urging the contractor to complete the works well before the scheduled 30-month deadline.
State Minister for Infrastructure Col. Claudien Bizimungu called on the contractor and other stakeholders to find ways of completing the project in less than 20 months. He also challenged them to consider whether the works could be completed within 15 months without compromising quality, safety or value for money.
“These improvements will contribute significantly to better traffic flow, reduce travel time, improve road safety and strengthen connectivity across Kigali,” Bizimungu said.
Construction began on Aug. 30 and is being carried out by China’s Hunan Road and Bridge Construction Group Co. Ltd.
The project is divided into two sections. The first 1.37 kilometres, from Prince House, will be upgraded into an interchange layout, while the remaining 9.04 kilometres will be reconstructed from a two-lane, two-way road into a four-lane, two-way road.
The works will also include bridges and culverts, drainage systems, road lighting, pavement and subgrade works, as well as traffic-management infrastructure.
The Rwanda Transport Development Agency said more than Rwf30 billion will be spent on expropriation, with at least 530 properties assessed for compensation along the corridor.
The project will cost more than Rwf130 billion. China is providing more than Rwf95 billion, while Rwanda is contributing Rwf35 billion.
Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Gao Wenqi said the project was identified as a key bilateral initiative during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s 2018 visit to Rwanda.
“In 2018, during his historic state visit to Rwanda, President Xi Jinping, together with President Paul Kagame, jointly identified this project as a key bilateral initiative,” Gao said.
Once completed, the road will improve links between central Kigali and Masaka, as well as routes serving the Eastern Province and Rusumo border crossing.
The corridor also provides access to Kigali International Airport, the Kigali Special Economic Zone, Remera, Masaka hospitals, the Medical Hub, Kabuga, Nyandungu Eco-Park and Amahoro Stadium. It also connects with routes toward Bugesera and the country’s new airport.
Authorities have warned motorists and other road users to expect disruptions during construction and use designated diversion routes. RTDA, the City of Kigali, Rwanda National Police and the contractor have been urged to coordinate traffic management and minimise delays.
