PRE-commencement works on the $1 billion Beitbridge-Harare highway dualisation project have begun while actual construction of the road is expected to start within a month, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Dr Joram Gumbo has said.

There are reports that the company contracted to dualise the highway, Geiger International of Austria, has agreed terms with a local financial institution for the handling of its funds.

The Austrian company was contracted by Government to carry out the project under a 25-year build-operate-transfer (BOT) model at a cost of $998 million.

Dr Gumbo yesterday said the contractor was busy with pre-commencement works following a ground breaking ceremony for the project by President Mugabe two weeks ago.

“They are busy on the project, setting up camping areas which will house workers as well as their equipment,” he said.