The Road Fund Administration (RFA) has given Walvis Bay’s ongoing road rehabilitation and reconstruction project a significant financial injection of approximately N$400 million over a five-year implementation period.
The project was initially budgeted at N$250 million, aimed at modernising key roadways and strengthening the town’s role as a logistics and trade hub.
The funding is managed at the national level and does not flow through local municipal accounts.
“This enhanced investment underscores Namibia’s commitment to ensuring Walvis Bay continues to thrive as a gateway for international trade and economic growth,” says Anita Kaihiva, the municipality’s communication officer.
The multi-phased project, being executed in partnership with the Roads Authority (RA) and the RFA, focuses on rehabilitating urban roads critical to port-related logistics and industrial activity. It aims to reduce transport delays, improve road safety and bolster access to commercial zones.
“This upgrade will not only improve traffic flow for freight operators but also deliver real benefits to residents by enhancing road safety, municipal services and overall connectivity,” Kaihiva notes.
Current rehabilitation efforts are concentrated on five essential roads in the Heavy Industrial Area, which serve as lifelines between the Port of Walvis Bay and surrounding economic zones. These include Allan Dean Martin Street, 3rd Street, 3rd Street East, 2nd Street and Railway Street, which handle a high volume of heavy vehicle traffic and are crucial to the town’s supply chain efficiency.
Work is currently progressing on two of the identified roads, particularly Allan Dean Martin Street where construction is underway using a half-width method to ensure one lane remains open for traffic. Five hundred and sixty meters of the subbase layer and 200 meters of the base layer have also been completed there while a traffic management plan, approved by the Walvis Bay Traffic Department, is in place, with signage and flag personnel ensuring safety and order.
Meanwhile, on 3rd Street, crews are currently replacing the sewer line, a critical upgrade that will improve underground infrastructure and long-term service reliability.
The municipality says that business owners were consulted through pre-construction meetings at the street to maintain open communication and minimise disruptions.
“Pre-structural assessments of nearby buildings were conducted to document property conditions and manage risks associated with heavy construction equipment,” Kaihiva says.
The municipality urged residents and businesses to exercise caution, follow construction signage, and cooperate with traffic flagmen as work continues.
“This project reflects our shared vision for Walvis Bay as a modern, efficient port city underpinned by safe, resilient infrastructure,” Kaihiva says.
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