Ithabeleng Qhasho
THE Roads Directorate has this week hosted members of the media on a tour of major road infrastructure projects in the Maseru district.
The tour highlighted ongoing works on the Masianokeng–St Michael’s road, the St Michael’s–Roma road rehabilitation project, and the recently completed Koro-Koro Bailey Bridge.
The initiative is part of the Roads Directorate’s efforts to keep the public informed about progress in improving road infrastructure and mobility across the district.
One of the key projects featured was the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the A5 road from St Michael’s to Roma. The project includes upgrading the road section from St Michael’s to Roma and constructing a two-kilometre loop road passing through St Joseph’s Hospital to Ha Mafefoane.
Awarded to China Geo-Engineering Corporation and supervised by SMCE/Mafube Consulting Engineers Joint Venture, the project is valued at M140,181,315.01. It is expected to take 15 months to complete, covering approximately eight kilometres of road.
The first phase, the rehabilitation of the Masianokeng–St Michael’s section, began in February 2024 and was scheduled to end in December 2024, but work is still ongoing. The second phase, the reconstruction of the St Michael’s–Roma section, started in January 2025 and is expected to conclude in April 2026.
According to the Roads Directorate, the project aims to improve access to key institutions, including the National University of Lesotho and St Joseph’s Hospital, while reducing travel time between Maseru and Qacha’s Nek districts.
Roads Directorate Senior Project Engineer, Lehlaku Khetheng, explained that planning for the upgrades began in 2022 after the directorate identified two priority sections: the A3 road from Masianokeng to St Michael’s and the A5 road from St Michael’s to Roma.
“The contractor’s investigations showed that the Masianokeng–St Michael’s road was in fair condition, while the St Michael’s–Roma section was in poor condition,” Mr Khetheng said. He noted that this aligned with recommendations from the Lesotho Road Management System to divide the project into two phases.
Addressing public concerns about road design near a junction area, Mr Khetheng clarified: “There are not two traffic circles as some people suggested. One is a traffic circle, while the other is a median U-turn designed to improve traffic flow.”
Assistant Resident Engineer Refiloe Mashea from SMCE/Mafube Joint Venture added that the changes improve mobility and safety along the A3 corridor, which previously experienced heavy congestion due to a T-junction.
“The main traffic circle has significantly improved traffic flow, and the median U-turn allows motorists to safely access a nearby filling station without disrupting traffic,” Mr Mashea said.
Site Manager, Tseliso Nyaama from China Geo, said several construction activities are underway to enhance road safety and accessibility. These include widening the main road, constructing gravel access roads to villages such as Ha Jemisi, and developing service roads to prevent vehicles from entering the busy A3 highway directly.
The tour also included the newly completed Koro-Koro Bailey Bridge, which has improved connectivity for surrounding communities.
According to Roads Directorate Corporate Communications Manager, Nozisolo Mpopo, these infrastructure developments are part of broader efforts to strengthen Lesotho’s road network, improve transport efficiency, and support socio-economic development nationwide.
