The governments of Botswana and Zambia have signed a contract for the construction of a road/ rail bridge across the Zambezi River in Kazungula. A joint statement from transport ministries in the two countries stated that ‘this is a historic and momentous occasion as the people of the two countries have waited for this bridge for many years’.

“The lack of a permanent crossing at Kazugula has posed as a serious bottleneck to the smooth flow of traffic and hampered the full development of trade between the two countries and the SADC region,” the statement said.

The signing of the US$ 161. 96 million contract funded by the Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA), African Development Bank (AfDB) and the two governments of Botswana and Zambia will reverse all these negative trends.

“The construction of the bridge will improve traffic flow and facilitate the easy crossing of various goods and services at Kazungula across the Zambezi River. The development will also eliminate the risks associated with operating pontoons.”

The other benefits include integration of the economies served by the North South Corridor, reduction in transit time (from 36 hours to 2 hours), reduction in transportation costs, increased traffic flow in the region and increased revenue for both countries.

According to a joint statement from the two governments, the project is undertaken by Daewoo Engineering and Corporation of South Korea and will be completed in four years from date of signing this contract. The scope of work includes construction of Rail Bridge of 923 meters and approach ramps.