Cabinet is set to discuss a proposed legislation governing the country’s road networks.

In an interview with The New Times, the Minister of Infrastructure Eng. Linda Bihire said that the bill elaborates the road networks in Rwanda, determines its classification and defines the road reserves under each category of the classified roads.

"The Bill defines the responsibilities pertaining to development, rehabilitation maintenance and management of roads and the parties charged with ensuring its preservation,” Bihire said.

Normally, roads are classified into various categories depending on their use.

In Rwanda the classification of roads was done in 2005 where all roads were categorized into two main classes; district roads and national roads.

"Some of the basic criteria used in classifying roads included their connectivity, functionality, traffic density, municipal boundaries and socio-economic benefits,” Bihire noted.

She added that the classification of roads is necessary in terms of facilitating planning, administering and traffic planning.

According to the minister, Rwanda had faced difficulties in managing roads and that the new bill will address all problems related to road management and maintenance.

"Government has been spending a lot of money in expropriating people living in road boundaries and this new bill also provides enough space for road reserves that may be used in future just in case there may be need to expand the road,” said Bihire.

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