A 40-tonne granite block fell off the back of a haulage truck crossing the Chivake river bridge on 8 May causing one lane to be closed to traffic.

Chivake is one of the major bridges in Mashonaland East, and the driver was on his way from Mutoko, a key supplier of granite for export.

The hole in the bridge has caused one lane to be sealed off to traffic.

Mashonaland East construction engineer in the Department of Roads, Engineer Arnold Mutungwazi said the bridge was built in 1963 and hitherto had no structural defects.

Adding that they have mobilised resources to repair it and motorists are urged to proceed cautiously because the block caused extensive damage to the bridge and a 30-metre stretch of the road.

It is estimated that it will take a week to repair the damaged bridge and road.