Construction works on the Kigali-Gatuna highway are expected to start in May next year at a cost Rwf 32 billionn.

The revelation was made Tuesday by the State Minister in charge of Transport, Dr. Alexis Nzahabwanimana.

The 77.8 km stretch will be constructed by the German firm, Strabag International.

"The tender to rehabilitate the highway was given to Strabag and it will cost about Rwf 32 billion. The firm will begin setting up work stations in January but real construction work begins in May next year.

"The project is financed by the European Union which will also fund supervision and monitoring of the construction works,” said the minister.

The contract involves works to rehabilitate the road and swampy areas which have been severely damaged along the road and have actually become black spots.

The project also envisages the reconstruction of 115 concrete culverts, the construction of 73 arched metal duct drainage systems and improvement works for existing bridges as well as construction of a roundabout close to Kigali.

The Kigali-Gatuna highway is the busiest road in terms of traffic and mainly serves as the main transport channel between Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Burundi.

It is part of the 600km road network supposed to be constructed over a period of seven years.

Others are Base-Nyagatare road (130km), which passes through Gicumbi District and the 130km Ngoma-Nyanza road, which connects the Eastern and the Southern provinces.

Other roads include the 103km of new tarmac roads set to be constructed in phases, in the City of Kigali to the tune of Rwf 52 billion, with 46 kilometres already complete and another 34.5km to be constructed this financial year.

Ends