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The Government has constructed 243.13 kilometres of tarmac roads within 10 months as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen transport infrastructure and improve connectivity across the country.
Presenting the Ministry of Works’ budget estimates for the 2026/27 financial year in Parliament in Dodoma on Tuesday, Minister for Works Abdallah Ulega said the projects were implemented through the Tanzania National Roads Agency between July 2025 and April 2026.
The minister said the government also rehabilitated 94.36 kilometres of gravel roads during the same period as part of efforts to improve accessibility and support economic activities.
According to Mr Ulega, the national road network managed by TANROADS has now reached 37,734.41 kilometres, with 12,225.26 kilometres already upgraded to tarmac standard.
He told Parliament that Tanzania had only 1,360 kilometres of tarmac roads at the time of independence in 1961, but successive governments from the First to the Fifth Phase administrations expanded the network by 9,369.81 kilometres.
Mr Ulega said the Sixth Phase Government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan has so far constructed 1,495.45 kilometres of roads and 18 major bridges within five years.
He said the infrastructure expansion has continued to improve transport services and open up economic opportunities in different parts of the country.
The minister added that the government has completed the construction of nine major bridges, while works on 11 others are ongoing. Preparations for the construction of 13 additional bridges are also underway.
According to him, the projects are helping to improve the efficiency of other transport sectors, including railways, ports and airports, while also enhancing movement of goods and people.
Mr Ulega further noted that roads remain the most widely used mode of transport in the country because they connect more areas than other transport systems.
To preserve the infrastructure, the government has continued with routine maintenance works across the country.
Between July 2025 and April 2026, the government carried out routine maintenance on 16,782.58 kilometres of roads, periodic maintenance on 1,101.12 kilometres and spot improvement works on 147.13 kilometres of roads and 1,383 bridges.
The minister said the maintenance works are aimed at ensuring roads and bridges remain safe, reliable and durable for users throughout the year.
