Trabablas (Mbudzi) Interchange - Class of 2027

The visit to the Trabablas Interchange immersed the students in one of Zimbabwe’s most significant urban infrastructure projects. The multi-level flyover system illustrated the complexity of integrating structural engineering, traffic management, and geotechnical design into a single functional network. Students observed the construction of pre-tensioned and post-tensioned concrete beams spanning long distances, massive piers and abutments transferring loads into deep foundations, and the sophisticated placement of bearings and expansion joints that allow the bridge to expand and contract with temperature fluctuations without structural damage.

The geometric and highway design elements provided a real-world perspective on sight distances, ramp gradients, and curvature planning to ensure smooth traffic flow under high-speed conditions. Earthworks and soil management techniques were evident in the deep foundations, piling operations, and reinforced retaining walls that stabilised embankments across challenging terrain. Pavement layering, from sub-grade through base course to asphaltic concrete, highlighted the engineering precision required to support heavy truck loads, while temporary detours, utility relocation, and drainage culvert planning revealed the operational and logistical challenges of constructing such a high-value urban project without disrupting ongoing traffic. The students gained a holistic view of urban infrastructure delivery, appreciating how structural, geotechnical, and transport engineering must converge to create safe, durable, and functional road networks.