Rwanda spent more than Rwf30 billion compensating property owners affected by the expansion and upgrading of the Prince House-Giporoso-Masaka road.
Yves Bahunde Havugimana, RTDA’s Urban Transport and Regional Integration Programme Manager, disclosed the amount during the project’s groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, September 8.
At least 530 properties were valued for compensation to clear the required space for the 10.4-kilometre road project.
The entire project is expected to cost more than Rwf130 billion. China provided more than Rwf95 billion, while the Government of Rwanda contributed Rwf35 billion towards expropriation and other project works.
RTDA confirmed that Rwanda and China officially launched the project as part of their continuing infrastructure cooperation. Minister of State for Infrastructure Col Claudien Bizimungu presided over the ceremony.
The first 1.37-kilometre section will involve transforming an existing four-lane, two-way road into an interchange.
A further 9.04-kilometre section will be reconstructed and widened from a two-lane, two-way road into a four-lane, two-way corridor.
Hunan Road and Bridge Construction Group Co Ltd is undertaking the project. The works include flyovers, underpasses, interchanges, bridges, culverts, drainage systems, street lighting and traffic-management infrastructure.
The road is classified as an urban arterial route. Its main lanes will have a design speed of 60 kilometres per hour, while the frontage roads will have a design speed of 40 kilometres per hour.
Bizimungu said the expansion would improve traffic flow, reduce travelling time, strengthen road safety and improve connectivity across Kigali.
The corridor connects Kigali to routes serving the Eastern Province and the Rusumo border crossing, one of the country’s major entry points for imports and exports.
It also provides access to Kigali International Airport, the Kigali Special Economic Zone, the Inland Dubai Port, Remera and Kabuga bus parks, Masaka and CHUK hospitals, the Medical Hub, Nyandungu Eco-Park and Amahoro Stadium.
The road also links to the route leading to the new international airport being constructed in Bugesera District.
Residents expect the expansion to significantly reduce travelling time between Remera and Masaka. Denis Mucyo, a Masaka resident who works in Giporoso, said evening journeys on the route previously took nearly two hours.
The project has a contractual implementation period of 30 months. However, Bizimungu asked the contractor and other stakeholders to “explore every possible opportunity to complete the works in less than 20 months.”
He also asked whether the project could be completed within 15 months without compromising quality, safety or value for money.
The minister said efficient planning, adequate mobilisation of resources and close cooperation among the institutions involved could shorten the construction period.
Authorities have urged motorists to remain patient, follow designated diversion routes and comply with temporary traffic-management measures during the works.
The contractor, RTDA, the City of Kigali and Rwanda National Police are expected to coordinate their activities to minimise disruption and protect road users.
Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Gao Wenqi said Presidents Paul Kagame and Xi Jinping identified the road as a key bilateral project during Xi’s state visit to Rwanda in 2018.
He said the project also supports the Belt and Road Initiative and commitments made under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.
Once completed, the expanded road is expected to reduce transport and logistics costs, improve access to employment, markets and essential services, and support business activity along the corridor.
RADIOTV10