MAPUTO, March 18 (Xinhua) -- By 6:30 a.m. (0430 GMT), work is already in full swing along the Matambo section of National Road 301 in Tete city, Mozambique, as crews carry out rehabilitation.
Wearing a reflective vest, 20-year-old Miezinha Fulgencio directs traffic along a temporary diversion, helping ensure the safety of both workers and motorists.
For the young woman from Tete's outskirts, the project has opened new opportunities. After graduating in 2025, she joined the construction team to support her family and has gradually taken on more technical responsibilities.
The 117-km rehabilitation project, funded by Mozambican hydropower firm Hidroelectrica de Cahora Bassa, includes the reconstruction of the 50-km Matambo-Marara section. Carried out by China Henan International Cooperation Group (CHICO), the work encompasses road resurfacing, the construction of a weigh station, an intersection, four bus stops, culverts, bridges and a toll station.
Upon completion, the upgraded road is expected to facilitate the transport of hydropower equipment, improve mobility for local communities and strengthen regional logistics.
Shi Zhaohui, project manager of CHICO, said the project entered the implementation phase in January 2025 and that asphalt paving is now underway, marking a key stage of construction.
Noting that more than 700 local workers, including 72 women, have been employed so far, Shi said the project has provided direct economic benefits to an estimated 3,750 residents.
At the construction site, Chinese senior worker Peng Baofu trains local staff in basic masonry skills, such as mixing mortar and aligning bricks. Many people, initially with no construction experience, have gradually developed their expertise.
As new sections of asphalt continue to stretch along the route, the Matambo-Marara upgrade promises enhanced connectivity, convenience, and economic benefits for surrounding communities. Residents are eagerly anticipating the road's completion.
Jemisse Agnicia, a local resident from Marara, said the previous poor condition of the road made travel to Songo take up to three hours.
"Once the road is improved, transport will be smoother, and the cost of daily goods may come down," she said.
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