RDA Apologises and advise on Temporary Traffic Congestion on Great North Road

RDA advises on Temporary Traffic Congestion on Great North Road

The Road Development Agency (RDA) has advised motorists to expect temporary traffic congestion between 6 and 10 Miles along the Great North Road as construction works intensify on the Lusaka–Ndola Dual Carriageway.

According to a public notice issued on 13 October 2025, the RDA and MOIC Construction Zambia Limited — the concessionaire undertaking the project under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) financing model  said the disruption was the result of ongoing rehabilitation and upgrading of the highway into a dual carriageway.

The notice explained that the road works form part of a broader effort to enhance road safety, cut travel time, and promote economic growth through improved transport connectivity. Once completed, the Lusaka–Ndola Dual Carriageway will serve as a key trade corridor linking Zambia’s industrial capital with its main seaport routes through the Copperbelt and onward to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The agency expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and appealed for public patience and cooperation. “We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused and kindly request the public’s patience and cooperation as we carry out these essential works,” the statement read.

Construction progress on the affected section was described as steady, with completion targeted for the end of November 2025. The RDA urged motorists to consider alternative routes where possible to avoid peak-hour delays, especially on the Great North Road outbound lane.

The statement further noted that the Lusaka–Ndola project represents one of Zambia’s most critical transport corridors and that its successful completion would provide safer passage for passengers and freight alike. The dual-carriageway upgrade is expected to reduce accident rates on a stretch of road long associated with heavy-truck traffic and frequent collisions.

Motorists travelling north toward Kabwe and the Copperbelt have already reported periodic slowdowns as construction crews clear sections for earthworks and lane expansion. Traffic officers have been deployed intermittently to assist in directing vehicles and maintaining flow.

Authorities emphasised that the inconvenience would be temporary and outweighed by the long-term benefits once the dual carriageway is operational. The project, valued at hundreds of millions of kwacha, is among the country’s most ambitious road-rehabilitation efforts in recent years and underscores the importance of infrastructure renewal for trade and safety.

The RDA concluded its statement by thanking road users for their continued understanding and cooperation as Zambia moves toward modernising one of its busiest national routes.