Construction works for the proposed Arusha-Musoma Highway has commenced, with work beginning at Mto-wa-Mbu to Sale section on the Arusha side.
The construction of the road which will pass through Loliondo, was among issues that were discussed during the Regional Road Board Meeting held at the Arusha Regional Headquarters, where it was explained that the first phase which will include 49km of the road.
According to the Regional Manager for Tanzania Road Networks Agency (TANROADS), Engineer Jonny De Kalupale, the Contractor, China Wu Yi Company Limited is expected to complete the 215km project in the next 2 years.
“All the workers’ camps and operating bases have been set up, and at the moment the Chinese firm is waiting for machinery and other construction facilities to be cleared at the Dar es Salaam Port,” he said.
The distance from Arusha City to Loliondo is 362km, but since the construction of the road to Wasso starts at Kigongo-Inn junction of Mto-wa-Mbu, the work will cover a 215km stretch in total.
Passing through Mto-wa-Mbu, Engaruka, Mount Oldonyo L’engai, Enkaresero Village, Lake Natron and part of Digo-Digo Ward in Monduli, Longido and Ngorongoro districts, the proposed tarmac road is described to be of high economic and social benefits to residents of Arusha and Mara regions.
The Arusha-Musoma road is just part of the ambitious track way project meant to connect Arusha and Musoma via Loliondo and Serengeti. The eastern stretch of 214km tarmac road will be constructed from Mto-wa-Mbu to the Wasso section of Loliondo, and this will be joined with the western stretch tarmac road that will be constructed between Makutano- Natta-Mugumu, a distance of 117km on the Mara side.
Moreover, there will be a stretch of 12km from Mugumu to the Western border of the Serengeti National Park.
