The City of Harare has temporarily closed a section of Rekayi Tangwena Avenue for 34 hours to allow emergency repairs on a collapsed sewer line, a move expected to disrupt traffic between the central business district and the city’s southern suburbs.
In a statement, the local authority said the affected stretch between Belvedere Road and Bishop Gaul Avenue would remain closed from 0700 on Tuesday until 1700hours on Wednesday.
“The closure is aimed at facilitating repairs and upgrades to a 50-metre-long, five-metre-deep earthenware sewer line that collapsed beneath the road.
“Due to the severity of the damage, full excavation across the carriageway is required to access the pipe and reinstate the road properly,” the City said.
The affected section includes a major transport corridor linking the central business district with Belvedere, Southerton and Willowvale, and is widely used by commuters and commercial vehicles, particularly during peak traffic periods.
The City has advised motorists to use alternative routes, observe temporary traffic signs and comply with directions from personnel deployed at the site to manage traffic flow and ensure public safety.
The local authority apologised for the inconvenience caused by the emergency works and appealed for residents’ patience and cooperation as efforts continue to restore the damaged sewer infrastructure.
The repairs form part of the City’s response to ageing underground infrastructure, which at times has resulted in sewer collapses and service disruptions across the capital.
