Iringa–Mbeya highway closed for repairs

IRINGA: THE Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) in Iringa Region has temporarily closed a section of the Iringa–Mbeya highway at Ipogolo Bridge for a two month major overhaul to address chronic flooding ahead of the rainy season.

The affected stretch forms part of the Tanzania-Zambia Highway (TANZAM), a crucial commercial corridor handling nearly 3,500 vehicles daily.

It links Tanzania’s southern highlands including Iringa, Njombe, Mbeya and Ruvuma to neighbouring landlinked nations such as Malawi, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Speaking on the project, Acting TANROADS Regional Manager for Iringa, Eng Mwanaisha Rajab, stated that the maintenance is funded by the World Bank under the Ipogolo–Kilolo road project following a proposal highlighting recurring drainage failures.

“We have ensured that pre-cast culverts are ready and meet high-quality standards. We are pushing the contractor to complete the works swiftly because of the El Niño heavy rain alerts issued for this year,” explained Eng Rajab.

While residents welcome the permanent fix, the detour has created immediate operational challenges for local transport.

Commuters report significantly increased travel times and rising transport costs along the longer bypass route.

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C o n s e q u e n t l y , local operators, including bajaji (threewheeler) drivers, have noted a sharp drop in passengers, as many residents now choose to walk long distances on foot to avoid the inflated fares and frustrating traffic delays.

Ipogolo Ward Executive Officer, Fuadi Mwasiposya, warned that without a reinforced road embankment and proper drainage systems, floodwaters would continue to wash out the infrastructure.

Obed Luago, Chairman of the Iringa Region Transport Association, echoed the sentiments, noting that heavy rains previously caused water to overflow across the road surface. To manage traffic flow, TANROADS mapped out specific detour routes to keep vehicles moving during the maintenance period.

Traffic travelling from Mbeya and neighbouring Southern African nations is diverted onto the Ipogolo–Kilolo road via the Tagamenda Bridge before rejoining the main TANZAM Highway.

Similarly, vehicles coming from Dar es Salaam are rerouted through the Tagamenda Bridge onto the Ipogolo–Kilolo section to connect back to the primary highway corridor.

This is a vital road that never lacks the daily bustle of both small and heavy vehicles. It connects the regions of Iringa, Njombe, Mbeya and Ruvuma, while also serving as a crucial link to neighbouring countries such as Malawi, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.