New Kazangula bridge by 2015

After years of trucks, cargo and
passengers having to cross the Zambezi
river between Zambia and Botswana
by ferry, the building of a new multi-million
rand bridge is being welcomed by all.
The $70 million bridge at Kazangula is set
to aid both rail and road crossings with the
costs being shared by Botswana and Zambia,
who will share ownership of the bridge.
Additional investments will be made by
Namibia, which has also realised the benefits
that will no doubt increase trade to the Port
of Walvis Bay.
According to a spokesman, the Botswana,
Zambia and Namibia governments approved
a feasibility study in June 2010. A proposal
for a two-lane suspension bridge to transport
road, rail and pedestrian traffic was drawn up
and approved. The total length of the bridge
will be 720m, 465m of which will cover
the main portion of the river. An additional
3km of approach road, with border posts
and tollgates on each side, will also be
constructed.
The intention of the new bridge is to
promote trade between Southern, Eastern
and Central African countries. Currently
the majority of freight transport between
Southern Africa, Zambia and the DRC
is taking place via the Chirundu/Victoria
Falls route, which poses problems of steep
escarpments and endless bottlenecks, which
cause delays says Adrian Friend of Celtic
Freight.
Cargo travelling via these routes either
enters or exits South Africa through
Beitbridge – a border post that constantly
faces long queues, and a lot of Zimbabwean
bureaucracy.
Currently only 30 trucks a day can cross
with the ferry, a number that is set to
dramatically increase with the new bridge.
The bridge is expected to be fully
operational by 2015 and two new ferries
have in the meantime been commissioned to
assist in crossings in the interim.
“We are extremely excited about the new
developments,” says Friend. “It will increase
our already fast transit times into Zambia –
the border formalities will become quicker,
and it will allow for faster turn around times
of our fleet of over 100 vehicles in and out
of Zambia.”