Zambia - Road Sector Project

Report No. PIC1093 Project Name Zambia-Road Sector Project Region Africa Sector Transportation, Road Transport Project ID ZMSR14814 Implementing Agency Ministry of Works and Supply Box 50236 Lusaka Zambia Contact: Permanent Secretary Telephone: 260-1 253887 Ministry of Local Government and Housing Box 50027 Lusaka Zambia Contact: Permanent Secretary Telephone: 260-1 222442 Fax: 260-1 254733 Estimated Project Cost US$500 million Financing Plan IDA (US$40 million); cofinancing to be determined Appraisal Date April 1997 Projected Board Date March 1998 Objectives 1. The principal objective is to support Zambia's economic recovery program by reducing road transportation costs and improving access within and among economically productive areas. This would be accomplished through the rehabilitation of priority roads, the elimination of a portion of the huge backlog of periodic maintenance, and construction of urban and rural feeder roads in productive or potentially productive areas. Description 2. The proposed project would implement the policy recommendations and investment proposals identified in the ongoing Transport Engineering and Technical Assistance Project (TETAP) and then proceed to support the road rehabilitation and maintenance program proposed in each of the five years of the project. The project would be designed in a flexible manner, in which the overall scope of the project would be assessed, with first year to two years defined and appraised in detail. A mid-term review of implementation and institutional progress at the end of the second year would firm up the program for the outer years. The project would include a civil works program comprising: (i) rehabilitation of priority trunk and main roads and bridges; (ii) a resealing and regravelling program to reduce the backlog of maintenance; (iii)  labor-based reconstruction and construction of feeder roads; and (iv) periodic maintenance of that portion of the network in good or fair condition. Financing 3. The project cost is estimated at about US$500 million. The financing plan has not yet been determined, although a number of donors have expressed interest in a coordinated program to address roads. Implementation 4. The project would be implemented by the Ministries of Works and Supply, and Local Government and Housing. Other agencies, including district councils, may also participate. Environmental Impact 5. Since the project focuses on rehabilitation and maintenance, no major environmental issues are expected. As directed under TETAP, all feasibility studies and detailed designs for roads in Zambia are to include the requirement that adequate attention be paid to environmental issues. These clauses would be included in the standard letters of invitation, terms of reference and civil works contracts. In addition, discussions would be held during project preparation with the newly created Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and National Environmental Council to identify how all road-related environmental issues should be handled. Contact Point - Public Information Centre The World Bank 1818 H Street N.W. Washington D.C. 20433 Telephone No.: (202)458-5454 Fax No.:(202)522-1500 Note: This is information on an evolving project. Certain components may not necessarily be included in the final project. - 2 -