The Zimbabwe National Roads Authority (ZINARA) says construction of the new Dema Toll Plaza along the Chitungwiza-Wedza highway is progressing on schedule, with completion expected in the fourth quarter of the year.
According to ZINARA, the upgrade will replace the existing two-lane system with a modern six-lane toll plaza designed to handle increasing traffic volumes.
Two of the six lanes will feature an e-tag system to provide added convenience for motorists. ZINARA said:
“This upgrade is a key milestone in our efforts to transform tolling infrastructure across the country.
“The new Dema toll plaza will reduce congestion and provide a faster, more convenient experience for motorists.”
Other features of the toll plaza will include a durable canopy, enhanced lighting, safety signage, rumble strips, and a three-tier backup power system to ensure uninterrupted operations.
ZINARA also announced that a 24/7 vehicle licensing office will be incorporated into the plaza, aiming to improve licensing compliance and provide motorists with more convenient access to services. It said:
“Motorists will be able to license their vehicles at the toll plaza at any time of the day.
“This will significantly improve compliance and alleviate the burden on existing licensing centres.”
Significant progress has been made on the project, with the canopy structure already completed and the administration and support offices currently under construction.
Civil works, lane demarcations, and system installations are scheduled to begin in the coming weeks. ZINARA said:
“The project is progressing well, and we are working tirelessly to meet the fourth-quarter commissioning timeline.
“Once operational, the Dema toll plaza will mark a new standard in tolling efficiency and revenue security on the Zimtoll tolling side.”
The Dema Tollgate in Mashonaland East is being shifted a bit further south along the Harare–Hwedza Road, near the 59km mark.
The move forms part of a wider government plan to ease the financial burden on commuters from peri-urban areas who travel into Harare every day.
The relocation comes after residents complained that the tollgate was unfairly placed in a growing residential area, forcing locals to pay tolls twice a day just to get into the city.
Both residents and local MPs argued that the tollgate had become more of a nuisance than a help, no longer really serving its original purpose of controlling intercity traffic. ZINARA said:
“Upgrading Dema is about preparing for the future. As traffic grows, our systems must keep pace to support the country’s road development agenda.”
