BY 2027 the government expects to have deployed closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and data management systems at weighbridge stations to improve monitoring, transparency and data accuracy.

Abdallah Ulega, the Works minister, said at the J.P. Magufuli Bridge here at the weekend that the government will install digital weighbridge systems and surveillance across the country’s weighbridge stations to combat corruption and alleviate vehicle congestion.

At a media briefing on achievements in the construction sector in the past four years, he said the new initiative was spearheaded by the Tanzania National Roads Agency (Tanroads).

Automated weighbridge systems will reduce human involvement in weighing operations, thus limiting opportunities for corrupt behavior. Additionally, these systems will be integrated with key government platforms such as the Bank of Tanzania payment system and the Government Electronic Payment Gateway (GePG) to streamline payments and operations, he explained.

He revealed plans to expand the installation of weigh-in-motion (WIM) systems—technology that measures vehicle weight as it moves—at all weighbridge stations by 2030 to further ease traffic flow.

Currently, WIM systems have been installed at ten weighbridge locations, namely Vigwaza, Mikese, Mikumi, Wenda, Mpemba, Nala, Njuki, Kimokouwa, Dakawa and Rubana, starting with Coast and Morogoro regions.

 “These upgrades are critical to preserving the country’s roads by enforcing weight limits, reducing road damage and extending infrastructure lifespan,” he said.

New weighbridge facilities have recently been constructed in Rubana (Mara), Kemokouwa (Arusha), Igagala (Njombe) and Kizengi (Tabora), with the latter still under construction.

Highlighting broader infrastructure progress, he said that Tanzania’s road network has expanded by over 1,000 kilometers since 2021, from 36,361.95km to 37,435.04km, as several district roads were upgraded to national highways.

Over 15,511 kilometers of roads are currently at various development stages, while 1,365.87 kilometers of tarmac roads and eight bridges—including the iconic Tanzanite Bridge in Dar es Salaam—have been completed, he said.

An additional 2,380.4 kilometers of roads and 12 bridges are under construction nationwide, he said, pointing out that the J.P. Magufuli Bridge had mostly been completed and is slated for inauguration by the Head of State on June 19.

The ceremony is expected to draw dignitaries from neighboring countries, he said, noting that the bridge was only 25 percent complete when the president took office early 2021.

Despite global economic challenges in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, including concerns about securing 539.28bn/- for its construction, the project was successfully completed, he remarked.

Once operational, the bridge will reduce the Lake Victoria crossing time from about two hours to just three minutes, significantly boosting economic activities and connectivity in the Lake Zone and neighboring nations.

Ferries operating the Kigongo–Busisi route will be reassigned to other regions where they are needed, the minister added.