Malawi Authorities are reportedly impressed with the progress made on the project to reconstruct and upgrade Airport Road M1. The contract was awarded to a Chinese contractor, Shandong Luqiao Group Limited.
As part of the project, the country’s 9.5-km backbone road, M1, is being upgraded from 2-lane to 4-lane. The road passes through the capital city of Lilongwe. Once completed, it will be one of the best roads in the country.
Expansion of two bridges as part of the Airport Road M1 project
The project, dubbed China-Aid Reconstruction and Extension of Airport Road M1, also includes the expansion of two bridges. One bridge will be at Lingadzi River, while the other cross a railway line. The construction of the project adopts asphalt concrete pavement and two-way four-lane standards.
Portia Kajanga, Malawi Roads Authority’s senior public relations officer, revealed in a recent interview. “The decks of the bridges are concrete reinforced: The T-beams are very strong, and it is going to be a very good road.”
Importantly, the contractor is working day and night to catch up because the progress had slowed due to rains. There is evidence of more work on the ground with increased equipment and manpower. Additionally, the contractor is managing to give room to traffic with few detours. Something not easy to achieve in an urban setup where everyone is busy.
Also Read: Phase 1 upgrade of Muloza-Chiringa road in Malawi begins
The construction is of high quality and the life span of the bridges is up to 50 years. This is according to the Chinese representative of the project and the supervisor of Consortium of CCCC First Highway Consultants Co., Ltd. Xi’an Fangzhou Engineering Consulting Co., Ltd, reported construction of the bridges is done up to 60 per cent so far.
By December this year, one side of the road will be fully complete. Additionally, it will be open to traffic while the workers shift to the other side.
