Mozambique secures $50M for EN1 highway rehabilitation

Mozambique's National Roads Administration (ANE) has secured $50 million in financing from the Saudi Fund for Development to rehabilitate and expand two sections of National Highway Number One (EN1). The project covers approximately 23.7 kilometers of the country's primary highway linking the south to the north.

The first phase involves the 6.7-kilometer Benfica–Zimpeto stretch in Maputo, which will include the construction of two additional traffic lanes, a central median, drainage systems, street lighting, and five pedestrian overpasses. The project also aims to improve access to the Zimpeto National Stadium.

The second phase covers a 17-kilometer stretch between 3 de Fevereiro and Incoluane. To combat recurring issues caused by heavy rainfall, engineers plan to reconstruct and raise the road by approximately one meter and increase its width from 7.8 meters to 12.4 meters.

In the interim, ANE is conducting emergency repairs to fill potholes on the N1. Officials noted that rapid pavement degradation is largely due to water accumulation from urban drainage areas. ANE is working to improve water runoff through new drainage structures and aqueducts to stabilize the road until the permanent rehabilitation project is implemented.