AA/Antananarivo/Sandra Rabearisoa
One month after the signing of the agreement between the Malagasy State and the Egyptian company SAMCRETE on November 3, the kick-off of construction work on Madagascar’s first highway was given this Saturday, December 3 in the town of Talata – Volonondry, located 27 km from Antananarivo, the capital.
The ceremony of laying the first stone was held in this commune where the first works of this infrastructure will be carried out and will extend over 260 km to Toamasina.
“Madagascar is writing a new page in its history through the construction of this infrastructure”, declared the Malagasy President, Andry Rajoelina, in his speech given on this occasion.
“South Africa, Senegal, Morocco, Egypt have their highways (…) today it is our turn to realize our vision and also have our own highway,” he insisted. This highway will make traffic flow between the capital and the large port more fluid.
According to the Malagasy president, 1,200 vehicles circulate daily on the national road number 2 (RN2) which connects the two big cities. Among these vehicles, trucks that transport goods such as cement or basic necessities that are intended to supply other regions of Madagascar.
Because of this heavy traffic, the RN2 is often subject to rehabilitation work because of the damage it has suffered.
“In addition to making traffic more fluid, this highway will considerably reduce the duration of the Tanà – Toamasina journey”, explains the Head of State. The journey, which currently takes between 7 and 8 hours, will now take two and a half hours or less.
On the other hand, the construction of this infrastructure involves requisitions and evictions of people with properties in the surrounding area. “Compensation for these owners will begin in a month,” said Public Works Minister Jerry Hatrefindrazana.
The first phase of the work, which will last 4 years, will be completed in 2023, the end date of the mandate of the current president.
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