27 Sep 2016

The new Gaborone-Phakalane link road officially handed over by the Minister of Lands and Housing Mr Prince Maele to the Gaborone City Council on September 26 will help to ease the congestion on the city’s roads.
Mr Maele expressed this during the handover ceremony, attended by various dignitaries and stakeholders at Glen Valley in Gaborone.
The minister said that the average daily traffic emanating from the Phakalane and Gaborone North suburbs to the rest of the city is over 10 000 and the new road would assist in relieving cojestion.
The strategic initiative that led to the construction of the road was motivated by slow traffic movement through the A1 from Phakalane suburb and other areas on the northern part of Gaborone,” Mr Maele said. He added that the road would benefit those who regularly travel into the city from the areas to its northern periphery, including residents of neighbouring villages.
“This link road is therefore expected to provide an alternative and more convenient access route from Gaborone to Glen Valley, Oodi, Matebele, Mochudi, Gaborone North, Phakalane and surrounding areas,” he added. Mr Maele also revealed that in order to further ease the traffic flow into the capital, the road upgrade had included the replacement of the Tsholofelo-BBS traffic circle and Ginger traffic circle, with four way intersections in anticipation of the increased traffic flow along the link road.
“The project has also opened other economic opportunities. Access to horticultural farms in Glen Valley will be easier, and plans for other economic developmental activities along the road were currently being worked on by the Ministry of Lands and Housing,” Mr Maele said.
Furthermore, Mr Maele reminded his audience that this project was part of the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) projects awarded to his ministry.
He said that of the 26 projects awarded his ministry, they had worked on 20, and eleven were now ready for handover.
What further pleased the minister was that the project was completed on time and within budget, with 4.9 kilometres of road being constructed along with associated storm drainage and solar street lighting. 83 temporary jobs were created for Batswana during its construction.
The single lane tarred road starts from the end of Limpopo drive at the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) Glen Valley Garrison south gate, and moves via the Marapoathutlwa water course and Greenbelt around Phakalane sewerage ponds facilities and pump stations, joining the Phakalane Township at David Magang avenue.
Gaborone North MP, Mr Haskins Nkaigwa expressed gratitude at the completion of the project, stating that it would greatly benefit his constituents. Ends