Mhona unveils high-tech toll plaza at Norton to end traffic gridlock

By Knowledge Muneri

The government has unveiled an expanded Norton Toll Plaza, a high-tech facility designed to tackle traffic congestion, improve road safety, and modernize the country's transport infrastructure. The commissioning signals the government's commitment to integrating technology, economic growth, and public safety into its national road network.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona said the upgraded plaza represents a direct response to the increasing demands of the transport network, adding that revenue collected will be reinvested into developmental projects. "The commissioning of this Norton Toll Plaza is a direct response to the increasing demands of our transport network. As traffic volumes continue to rise, we need to adopt innovative solutions to manage congestion, maintain our infrastructure, and generate the revenue necessary to reinvest in further development," Mhona said.

"The revenue generated from this toll plaza will go directly into sustaining and improving our roads, ensuring that we have the resources to build the highways, bridges, and roads that will serve us for generations to come," Mhona added.

Beyond toll collection, Mhona highlighted the plaza's role as a hub for post-crash emergency response. Ambulances equipped with medical personnel will be stationed on-site to ensure accident victims are transported to medical facilities within 60 minutes, a critical measure to reduce road fatalities.

"Those of us who were with us yesterday in Juru for the launch of the road safety enforcement, education, and awareness campaign heard us making pronouncements about the post-crash management programme, which will leverage stationing ambulances equipped with medical equipment and personnel at these toll plazas. They will respond to emergency calls in cases of accidents, for the purposes of evacuating the injured to medical facilities within 60 minutes of an accident. This speaks to the importance of these toll gates beyond the traditional view of road user fees or charges collection," Mhona added.

The project also marks the first step toward All-Electronic Tolling (AET) in Zimbabwe, a system allowing vehicles to pay tolls without stopping. Officials say this will drastically reduce congestion, lower carbon emissions, and streamline cashless transactions, improving both efficiency and transparency.

"Modern payment systems and electronic tolling will enhance convenience, reduce waiting times, and minimize human interference in revenue collection," Mhona said, noting that regular audits and parliamentary oversight will ensure transparency and curb revenue leakages.

Analysts say the upgraded plaza could have wider economic benefits. Toll sites increasingly serve as mini-commercial hubs, attracting businesses and boosting local economies, while improved traffic flow facilitates trade and regional connectivity.

The commissioning aligns with the government's National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and the 2026 infrastructure agenda, which prioritize rehabilitation, expansion, and construction of road networks. Mhona also praised road sector workers, emphasizing that the project's success is a testament to teamwork and determination.

The expanded Norton Toll Plaza, combining high-tech systems, emergency response capabilities, and economic opportunities, reflects Zimbabwe's vision for a safer, more efficient, and technologically advanced road network.