GOVERNMENT PLANS FOR ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE
The government in 2023/24- 2024/25 being the financial years set aside over P8. 5 billion on construction of news roads, refurbishment of some existing ones and upgrade others.
The Minister of Transport and Public Works Honourable Eric Molale presented his ministry’s expenditure proposals for the Transitional National Development Plan (TNDP) in Parliament. The TNDP is a new budget arrangement that will invest P65 billion under the Public Investment Program between April 2023 – March 2025 as a transition from NDP 11, which just ended to NDP 12 which will begin in April 2025. The money will be divided into the road infrastructure project in the following way:
1. Reconstruction of Roads
this category are roads which have reached their design life. These are Mulambakwena-Tshesebe-Masunga, Maun- Mohembo, Nata-Maun, Francistown-Nata, Nata-Kasane, Palapye-Martins Drift, Martins Drift Bridge, and Mogoditshane- Gabane-Mmankgodi, Output Performance Based Road Contract (OPRC) (Mmankgodi-Jwaneng and Rakhuna-Mabule).
2. Dualling of Roads
The Gaborone–Boatle road is complete and has been included to close off the project after defects liability period. As a continuation of the A1 Dualling, Lobatse-Boatle road construction will be implemented. A Bankable Feasibility Study for Tolling of Roads is also to be undertaken.
3. Face-lifting of Greater Gaborone Roads Network
as part of the ongoing Botswana Integrated Transport Project a number of projects are being implemented.
These include upgrading of Three Grades Intersections along the KT Motsete Drive (Western Bypass) and Traffic Signal Modernisation + Centralised Traffic Control for Greater Gaborone. These are expected to be complete by the end of the current financial year. Other projects are Access to Central Business District (CBD), Greater Gaborone Transport Project and Implementation of National Multi Modal Transport Master Plan. Conceptual Designs for three Grade Separated Interchanges at Molapo Crossing, Block 8 Traffic Circle and Airport Junction are proposed.
𝟰. Construction of Bypass
to decongest the main roads within peripheries of Molepolole, the Molepolole Bypass (12 km) is proposed to be constructed.
𝟱. Construction of New Roads
to further facilitate trade and movement of goods and people, new projects have been proposed. These are Modipane- Mabalane, Medie-Lentsweletau-Tshele, Mandunyane- Mathangwane, Makalamabedi-Motopi, Mmathethe- Tswaaneng-Bray-Werda, and Goodhope-Kgoro-Gathwane.
