RDA Signs K177.6 Million Contract to Expand Shimabala Toll Plaza

 

The Road Development Agency (RDA) has signed a K177.6 million contract for the design and expansion of the Shimabala Toll Plaza on the Lusaka–Kafue Road, aimed at reducing congestion and improving traffic flow along Zambia’s Southern Corridor.

The nine-month design-and-build contract has been awarded to China Railway Seven Group Limited, in a joint venture with Grand Seven Limited. It provides for three months of design and review, followed by six months of construction.

Speaking during the contract-signing ceremony, RDA Director and Chief Executive Officer Engineer Nelson Chuma described the expansion as an important step towards modernising Zambia’s road infrastructure and improving the efficiency of one of the country’s busiest tolling facilities.

Engineer Chuma said the Shimabala Toll Plaza, commissioned in 2018, had experienced a sustained increase in traffic volumes, resulting in congestion, delays and longer waiting times for motorists.

The facility was originally constructed with three tolling lanes in each direction and limited approach roads, but this configuration has come under growing pressure as the number of vehicles using the corridor continues to rise.

“The expansion of this plaza is intended to enhance traffic flow, reduce congestion and waiting time, improve revenue-collection efficiency and provide a better experience for motorists using this strategic corridor,” Engineer Chuma said.

The project will increase the number of tolling lanes and extend approach roads on both sides of the plaza.

Engineer Chuma explained that the contractor would undertake design work during the first three months. The designs would then be submitted to RDA for review and approval before construction begins.

He urged the contractor to mobilise promptly, meet the agreed deadlines and maintain high standards of quality and safety while delivering the project within budget and according to specifications.

“As RDA, my team will rigorously provide oversight to ensure that we achieve value for money. This signing ceremony is a testament to our commitment to modernising Zambia’s infrastructure. We are not just pouring concrete; we are opening a lane for economic prosperity,” he said.

National Road Fund Agency Chief Executive Officer Daniel Mtonga said the expansion would provide much-needed relief to motorists using the Lusaka–Kafue Road.

Mr Mtonga explained that when the plaza was commissioned in 2018, it was designed to accommodate approximately 7,500 vehicles per day, while actual traffic volumes stood at about 5,000 vehicles daily.

Traffic has since increased beyond the facility’s designed capacity, creating operational challenges and lengthy queues.

Mr Mtonga disclosed that NRFA was also adopting new technology to improve tolling operations and reduce travel times.

The agency plans to pilot an express tolling system using Radio Frequency Identification technology, with Shimabala expected to be among the first participating toll stations.

Under the proposed system, motorists would use electronic tags detected by transponders mounted at the toll station, enabling registered vehicles to pass through without stopping for manual payment.

Mr Mtonga said the expansion would make it possible to dedicate additional lanes to the electronic tolling system, further improving traffic flow and operational efficiency.

Road Transport and Safety Agency Director and Chief Executive Officer Engineer Amon Mweemba also welcomed the project, describing Shimabala as a critical gateway to Zambia’s Southern Corridor.

He said the corridor connects Lusaka to Livingstone and provides access to major regional markets in Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa, while supporting tourism, commerce and cross-border trade.

Engineer Mweemba observed that congestion at the toll plaza had become a significant traffic-management challenge, with motorists sometimes spending hours in queues because of inadequate capacity.

He said traffic volumes were likely to continue rising, noting that Zambia’s vehicle population had increased significantly during the first half of 2026.

Engineer Mweemba welcomed the planned introduction of drive-through tolling technology and said similar systems could be introduced at other busy toll plazas to accelerate the movement of motorists.

RTSA pledged to work closely with RDA and the contractor to manage traffic during construction and ensure that the Lusaka–Kafue Road remains operational throughout the expansion works.

China Railway Seven Group Chief Executive Officer Roy Guo thanked the Government, RDA and other partners for entrusting the company with the project.

Mr Guo said the contract represented more than a commercial obligation, describing it as evidence of the growing partnership between Zambia and China in infrastructure development.

He said China Railway Seven Group had undertaken several infrastructure projects in Zambia and remained committed to contributing to the country’s development.

Once completed, the Shimabala Toll Plaza expansion is expected to reduce congestion and waiting times, strengthen toll-revenue collection and support the efficient movement of passengers and goods along the Lusaka–Kafue Southern Corridor.

The development will also support the adoption of modern tolling technology and improve efficiency at one of Zambia’s most strategically important transport facilities.