Access to Prosperita improved
N$28 million road completed, N$1 billion road construction project progressing
After months of traffic congestion for everyone who had to come and go from the Prosperita industrial area, the Roads Authority (RA) opened the new access road on the north side of the area yesterday.The N$28 million stretch of road was built by China Railway Seventh Group, under direction of VKE Namibia consulting engineers.
There were 108 employees involved in the renovation work, the road's extension and its connection to the Auas bridge crossing on the B1 dual carriageway to Rehoboth. The new road will now be handed over to the Windhoek municipality, for maintenance and as the regulatory authority.
According to the chief executive of the RA Conrad Lutombi, the upgrade of the access road was part of the first phase of the expansion of the Western Bypass, which is being extended to improve access to Hosea Kutako International Airport. He said the last part of phase one, from the south of Cimbebasia along Prosperita to the police roadblock on the way to Rehoboth, will be completed by April.
"We have received many complaints about congestion at the Auas crossing, and from people calling for the opening of this access road. Yes, we had to build a bridge and it took time, but we are happy that it has been completed," he said. "Inhabitants of Cimbebasia and businesses in Prosperita will now be able to enjoy better mobility when they come home or go to town."
Furthermore, Lutombi said that complaints have also been received about congestion at the part of the B1 that turns into a single lane from Windhoek Truckport to the Safari Hotel. The RA will now approach the City of Windhoek about this, to see how there can be cooperation to expand this part of the road as well.
He also elaborated on a new wall that was built between the bypass and the new access road.
"The main reason for the wall is actually about the security aspect," he said. According to Lutombi, especially in the evening, there is a collision of lighting from vehicles turning east from the Auas intersection, versus the traffic on the bypass travelling in a westerly direction.
The RA chief also spoke about progress with the larger N$1 billion project, which in phase 2A will involve another 19.5km of double-lane road construction from Auasblick, to get close to the Dordabis intersection. After that, phase 2B will extend a further 21km, with road construction due to start by September next year. Lutombi said the entire project should provide a complete highway from Windhoek to Hosea Kutako International Airport by December 2024. The completed project will also provide better access south to Rehoboth, diverting traffic along the bypass from Windhoek's city centre.