The National Roads Administration (ANE) has warned of possible temporary disruptions or restricted traffic on National Road Number One (EN1) in the city of Xai-Xai, due to maintenance works on the bridge over the Nguluzane River, driven by rising water levels and the risk of erosion.
According to a statement from the authority, the interventions aim to prevent scour (undermining of the structure) and ensure the integrity of the infrastructure, in a context marked by intensified rainfall in the southern region of the country. During the works, traffic may be interrupted or managed alternately, with vehicles using a single lane.
ANE has called for users’ understanding and cooperation, recommending strict compliance with on-site signage to ensure road safety and minimize disruptions.
The situation comes at a time when the region is facing a new wave of rainfall, which has already affected alternative routes to the EN1, particularly the Wenela road, used as a relief corridor after damage caused by January floods to the second bridge over the Nguluzane River.
National Road Number One is Mozambique’s main road artery, ensuring the connection between the south and the north of the country. Any disruption to its traffic has a direct impact on the mobility of people and goods, as well as on economic activity. Data from the National Institute for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction (INGD) indicate that the current rainy season has already caused more than 300 deaths and affected over one million people nationwide, highlighting the scale of the challenges posed by weather conditions.
The ANE announcement comes just days after traffic was restored on the EN1 near the Nguluzane River in Xai-Xai, which had been interrupted due to damage caused by heavy rains. The reopening, following emergency erosion control works, had already been accompanied by warnings about the fragility of the infrastructure, at a time when water levels continue to rise, increasing the risk of further disruptions on the country’s main road link.
Source: Diário Económico
