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Construction of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) infrastructure in Dar-es-Salaam city is expected to reduce congestion. This was said by President Jakaya Kikwete when inaugurating the first phase of the construction on 19 September, 2012. The 137 kilometre infrastructure is scheduled for completion in March, 2015.

In his speech, the President said that traffic jams in Dar-es-Salaam have been a challenge to road users who waste a lot of time that would have otherwise be used for social and economic activities.

The first phase of the project which is being financed by the World Bank is expecting to cost Tshs. 288.8 billion. “This is a substantial amount of funds that would accomplish a very important undertaking in our country,” he emphasized. “In conjunction with this project, the Government is also planning to implement other projects and some of them are at initial stages; including the expansion of tarmac roads in Dar es Salaam, construction of flyovers, Kigamboni bridge and introduction of coastal marine boats,” he added.

The President emphasized further that sustainability of any infrastructural project depends on how it is maintained after completion. “The roads infrastructure which the Government spends a lot of money to construct should therefore be protected from human destruction,” he said.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Minister for Works, Dr. John Magufuli, said that the congestion in Dar es Salaam is a big problem especially during peak hours whereby the speed average is 10 kms per hour, a situation which affects work performance and contributes to health hazard caused by inhaled smoke emissions from motor vehicles. He added, “After the completion of the project the average speed would at least increase to 25 kms per hour.”

When giving details of the project construction phases, Dr. Magufuli said that the first phase of the construction would cover 20.9 kms from Kimara to Kivukoni, Magomeni to Morocco and Fire to Kariakoo; while the second phase would cover 19.3 kms of Kilwa road. The Minister further said that the third phase would be 23.6 kms for Nyerere and Uhuru roads, the fourth phase 16.1 kms for Alli Hassan Mwinyi and Sam Nujoma roads while the fifth phase of 22.8 kms would cover Msasani, Kawe, Mikocheni, Manzese, Mburahati and Chang’ombe roads. He informed the audience that the sixth phase of 22.8 kms would be for Nelson Mandela road.

Dr. Magufuli promised that his ministry and TANROADS would closely supervise the implementation of the project to ensure that it meets the required standards and completed within the scheduled time.