Dual carriageways in Namibia

US$65m dual carriageways in Namibia are to be constructed in a major facelift of roads in the country’s Coast. Two frequently used roads between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund will be transformed to dual carriage highways.

The dual carriageways in Namibia were officially launched by Works and Transport Minister Alpheus Naruseb in Swakopmund on Thursday. The construction will be carried out in two phases. They are expected to be completed within three years.

Phase one of the project will commence around the junction of the new main road 44 and trunk road 2/2 – east of Swakopmund – and will go on up Farm 58, nearly 6 kilometres from the main road near Walvis Bay airport. Phase two will start from Farm 58 and go up to the Walvis Bay traffic circle.

Speaking during the ground-breaking ceremony Naruseb, construction of top class roads was the government’s priority.

“To do this, we have to create and put in place reliable transportation infrastructure that meets the requirement and demands of the 21st century. Thus, a safe and efficient transport sector will offer various opportunities to strengthen our competitive advantage in the region.”

Strategically positioned

Namibia is strategically positioned as a gateway for export and import. It targets landlocked countries in SADC, such as Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

“The fact that Namibia and its neighboring countries experience continuous economic activity growth adds pressure on the existing transport infrastructure and systems.Consistent economic growth requires sufficient investment in order to achieve the full potential and resulting benefits of the sector.”

Consequently, government is fully committed to ensuring that the road network corridors in the country are constructed to the highest standards. So it will facilitate commercial trade in Namibia.

The upgrading of the roads is one of the major issues contained in the Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP).