KIGALI, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- For Theonila Uwumukiza, a farmer from Muhanga District, the rehabilitation of the Nyange-Muhanga road in Rwanda's Southern Province has transformed her daily life.
"Getting to the market is now much easier. Previously, it took about an hour to transport goods, but now it takes only 30 minutes. My children need just 10 minutes to reach school by motorcycle, whereas before it took about 20 minutes," Uwumukiza said.
Constructed by Stecol Corporation, a Chinese construction firm, the road was recently opened to traffic about seven months ahead of schedule, serving as a vital link within the national transport network.
Sixbert Byingingo, principal of St. Jean Nyarusange College in Kabgayi, Muhanga District, hailed the transformation brought by the upgraded road in an interview with Xinhua on Monday.
"We are fortunate to have this road. Before, we had a very badly damaged road, which made travel difficult. Visitors and officials were often disturbed by its poor condition. But after this road was rehabilitated, things have greatly improved. We are grateful because it has made it easier and more pleasant for people to reach our school."
The new road has made commuting easier not only for teachers and officials, but also for parents and students.
"It was difficult for parents to reach the school. Now, travel is much easier because people can come at any time and feel confident they would arrive safely," Byingingo added.
The road project spans approximately 24 km and connects Muhanga District to key areas in Rwanda's Southern Province, with a contractual duration of two years from September 2024 to September 2026.
"During project implementation, we faced several challenges, including complex mountainous terrain and long construction periods during the rainy season. By optimizing our work plan, adjusting designs, and strengthening resource management, we successfully opened the road to traffic about seven months ahead of schedule," project manager Jiang Pengfei told Xinhua at the project site.
He added that, as of now, the Nyange-Muhanga road project has achieved an actual overall site progress of 82.3 percent, surpassing the planned schedule progress of 70.68 percent.
Mounir Benseddik, resident engineer leading the supervision team, explained the technical upgrades. "This project consists of the rehabilitation and widening of the existing road between Muhanga and Nyange. The carriageway is 7.4 meters wide, with shoulders of 1.5 meters on both sides in rural areas. In urban areas, we added greenery, cycling lanes, and walkways."
Benseddik said the road is now fully asphalted, ensuring smooth traffic flow. "Vehicles now can move smoothly because the asphalt works are 100 percent complete. The remaining works are mainly concentrated in the 4-km urban section, which includes walkways, greenery, and cycling lanes. We expect completion by around April or May 2026."
The Nyange-Muhanga road is a critical transport corridor connecting the Southern Province with the western and northern regions of Rwanda.
According to the Rwanda Transport Development Agency, the upgraded road will improve mobility for residents, businesses, and transporters, while facilitating trade and commerce by allowing local farmers and businesses to transport goods more efficiently. This is expected to create jobs, increase productivity, and contribute to overall economic growth in the region. ■