The Ministry of Public Works has announced partial results of rehabilitation work on National Road 4 (RN4) connecting the capital to Mahajanga. In total, approximately twenty kilometers of road have been paved on lot number 3, from Andranofasika to Mahajanga (65 km long). This section includes the 20 km priority zone for asphalting. Rehabilitation work on RN4 continues. The project, financed by the World Bank with support from the Road Fund (FR), is part of the Sustainable Development Project for the Road Sector (PDDR). According to the Public Works Ministry statement, pouring of the road section Andranofasika (PK 451+000) – Ankarafantsika – Marosakoa (PK 473+000) is underway. Currently, the gravel base layer is being poured on the Berivotra section. The operation is followed by impregnation, or liquid asphalt application. Base layers have already been poured, pending preparation of the next phase.
Traffic
"All this ongoing work demonstrates the government's determination to improve infrastructure, strengthen regional connectivity, and facilitate the movement of people and goods, as well as support economic and social development," states the Public Works Ministry page.
Vehicle traffic on this national road has been heavy for several weeks during the holiday period. However, most drivers and users complain about the catastrophic condition of the road infrastructure from Ankazobe to Mahajanga. The worst section remains between Ambovondramanesy and Mahajanga.
"How much longer will users have to endure the ordeal of the terrible, bumpy, and very dusty Berivotra section? The suspension bushings suffer, as do the bearings and the entire vehicle. It's unprecedented. It's true that part of this section is being asphalted. But it's not enough, because the operation is limited to just a few kilometers. The road section to traverse remains very difficult. It's really frustrating, when we're so close to arriving in Mahajanga. It takes at least two hours to reach Belobaka dam. And it's even worse from there, passing through Amparehigidro, Antanimalandy to Tanambao Sotema, then Ambohimandamina, then Antanimasaja. It takes more than an hour, with traffic congestion, before arriving in the city," complained a taxi-brousse driver.
The journey time between Tanà and Mahajanga is now at least 14 hours. The program planned asphalting of approximately 60 km of the 198.75 km distributed across three lots. RN4 rehabilitation work began over a year ago. Project completion is significantly delayed.