Access roads improve rural communities’ access to social services
Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA)
A leader in the development and management of water resources and hydroelectric power generation
Access roads that are built under the “Advance Infrastructure” leg of the project, are already connecting and providing access to services for communities in the remote villages across the Project landscape.
The new roads infrastructure include the Polihali Western Access Road (PWAR – East and West) that connects the Polihali Dam basin and Katse Dam basin. It runs for approximately 54km from Ha Seshote in Leribe to the Polihali Dam site, Mokhotlong.
It joins a 16km Polihali Northern Access Road (PNEAR) at the Dam site. PNEAR which starts at Mapholaneng is being upgraded from a gravel road to a class A surface road.
The Phase II roads infrastructure developments include the rehabilitation of the Northern Access Road (NAR) which together with PWAR will form the major access corridor for construction equipment, materials and tunnel boring machine components for the Polihali Dam and Transfer Tunnel while also providing access to both the Katse and Polihali dams.?Progress on the three roads is at varying stages:
Work on the NAR entails asphalt milling, paving, slope remedial works and markings
On the PWAR East, works entail asphalt surfacing, retaining walls, culverts and bridges, while on the PWAR West construction comprises earthworks and drainage works among others. Progress is notable on the three bridges along the PWAR – Matsoku, Semenanyane and Makhoaba.
Overall progress is between 60% and 70% on the access roads, with completion planned for end of 2023 on most of the roads’ contracts.?