Key Erongo road upgrades near completion
Road upgrades form part of critical regional transport links
The long-awaited upgrade of the Henties Bay–Uis road is nearing completion, with more than two-thirds of the former gravel route now tarred and open to traffic.
Of the roughly 100 km stretch, about 70 km has already been surfaced, while a further 10 km is currently under construction. Work has not yet begun on the remaining 16 km into Uis, according to Roads Authority spokesperson Hileni Fillemon.
“The overall project progress is approximately 78%,” Fillemon said, adding that the route will ultimately extend towards Khorixas and Kamanjab.
She said the upgrade of main roads 44 and 76 to bitumen standard is intended to strengthen regional connectivity by linking southern Angola and Namibia’s northern regions to Swakopmund and the Port of Walvis Bay.
The project is expected to reduce travel time, lower transport costs, improve logistics efficiency and ease pressure on the heavily congested Usakos–Karibib–Otjiwarongo route, while strengthening cross-border trade between Namibia and Angola.
Major upgrades
Works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi has meanwhile announced the planned upgrade of the 105 km gravel road between Khorixas and Kamanjab to tar.
Earlier this year, Nekundi said road works valued at more than N$1.3 billion are scheduled to begin in May next year and continue until December 2027. The Kamanjab–Khorixas section will form phase two of the MR44 Swakopmund–Henties Bay and MR76 Henties Bay–Uis–Kamanjab corridor.
Another major upgrade underway is the 30 km B2 section between Usakos and Karibib. The project, valued at nearly N$400 million, is about 80% complete and includes the widening and upgrading of the main road through Karibib.
Fillemon said the Karibib section remains a major traffic bottleneck due to the high volume of heavy trucks travelling to and from the Port of Walvis Bay. The project has also faced challenges, including stormwater damage to the bypass and newly constructed structures.
According to the Roads Authority, the B2 section is expected to be completed by May next year.
Fillemon said the broader road upgrades form part of the Trans-Kalahari, Trans-Kunene and Trans-Zambezi corridors, providing a critical transport link between the Walvis Bay port, the rest of Namibia and the regional hinterland.
“Once completed, the rehabilitated road will ensure an improved regional and local transport corridor and a significant reduction in traffic congestion, which will lead to fewer motor vehicle accidents on this vital transport artery,” she said.
With increased holiday traffic expected, motorists have been urged to exercise extra caution on the Karibib–Usakos stretch.
Of the roughly 100 km stretch, about 70 km has already been surfaced, while a further 10 km is currently under construction. Work has not yet begun on the remaining 16 km into Uis, according to Roads Authority spokesperson Hileni Fillemon.
“The overall project progress is approximately 78%,” Fillemon said, adding that the route will ultimately extend towards Khorixas and Kamanjab.
She said the upgrade of main roads 44 and 76 to bitumen standard is intended to strengthen regional connectivity by linking southern Angola and Namibia’s northern regions to Swakopmund and the Port of Walvis Bay.
The project is expected to reduce travel time, lower transport costs, improve logistics efficiency and ease pressure on the heavily congested Usakos–Karibib–Otjiwarongo route, while strengthening cross-border trade between Namibia and Angola.
Major upgrades
Works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi has meanwhile announced the planned upgrade of the 105 km gravel road between Khorixas and Kamanjab to tar.
Earlier this year, Nekundi said road works valued at more than N$1.3 billion are scheduled to begin in May next year and continue until December 2027. The Kamanjab–Khorixas section will form phase two of the MR44 Swakopmund–Henties Bay and MR76 Henties Bay–Uis–Kamanjab corridor.
Another major upgrade underway is the 30 km B2 section between Usakos and Karibib. The project, valued at nearly N$400 million, is about 80% complete and includes the widening and upgrading of the main road through Karibib.
Fillemon said the Karibib section remains a major traffic bottleneck due to the high volume of heavy trucks travelling to and from the Port of Walvis Bay. The project has also faced challenges, including stormwater damage to the bypass and newly constructed structures.
According to the Roads Authority, the B2 section is expected to be completed by May next year.
Fillemon said the broader road upgrades form part of the Trans-Kalahari, Trans-Kunene and Trans-Zambezi corridors, providing a critical transport link between the Walvis Bay port, the rest of Namibia and the regional hinterland.
“Once completed, the rehabilitated road will ensure an improved regional and local transport corridor and a significant reduction in traffic congestion, which will lead to fewer motor vehicle accidents on this vital transport artery,” she said.
With increased holiday traffic expected, motorists have been urged to exercise extra caution on the Karibib–Usakos stretch.
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