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.”
