Walvis Bay commences with scaled-up pothole repair
Niël Terblanché
The Municipality of Walvis Bay has ramped up repairs to the port town’s road infrastructure, with an in-house team currently addressing potholes and clearing debris across various parts of the town.
The latest initiative runs in parallel with a larger, multi-year road rehabilitation project backed by the Roads Authority (RA) and the Roads Fund Administration (RFA).
In a statement issued by the port town’s municipality, residents were advised to exercise caution around construction areas, follow signage, and cooperate with flagmen stationed on affected roads.
According to the statement, updates on road closures and progress will be communicated through official channels.
The road rehabilitation project, originally budgeted at N$250 million, has since received a boost, bringing the total allocation to approximately N$400 million over five years.
According to the municipality, the funds allocated for Walvis Bay do not come from the municipal coffers nor are they administered by local authorities, clarifying the structure of the collaboration between local and national institutions.
The initiative focuses on rehabilitating key urban roads to support the port city’s increasing traffic volumes and its role in national and regional trade.
The improvements are expected to benefit both the logistics sector and the general public by reducing delays and enhancing road safety.
“This joined commitment by the Municipality of Walvis Bay, RA and RFA affirms Walvis Bay’s strategic importance in Namibia’s road network and national logistics ambitions,” the statement said.
Current works are concentrated in the Heavy Industrial Area, where five major roads are being upgraded.
These are Allan Dean Martin Street, 3rd Street, 3rd Street East, 2nd Street, and Railway Street. These routes are crucial for moving goods between the Port of Walvis Bay and the surrounding industrial zones.
According to the statement, construction on Allan Dean Martin Street is progressing using a half-width construction method, keeping one lane open to minimise traffic disruptions.
So far, 200 metres of the base layer and 560 metres of the subbase have been completed, with flag personnel and signage deployed to maintain traffic flow.
Work on 3rd Street is focused on replacing the existing sewer line, which the municipality says “will significantly improve underground infrastructure and long-term service reliability.”
Engagement with affected businesses has been ongoing.
Meetings were held both before and during construction to ensure clear communication, and building assessments were conducted to document the structural conditions before the movement of heavy machinery.
According to the municipality’s statement, the repairs and upgrades are part of a broader effort to reinforce Walvis Bay’s standing as a modern and efficient port city with reliable infrastructure serving residents, industry, and regional trade corridors.
