The Minister of Public Works, Housing and Water Resources, Carlos Mesquita, announced on Wednesday 17 January that 29 million dollars will be invested in the construction of a new crossing over the Zambezi River in Tete province, in the centre of the country, with a view to replacing the 50-year-old Samora Machel Bridge, which has structural problems.
“The bridge has already suffered several storms and perhaps the levels of maintenance have not been frequent enough. The structure is unsuitable for heavy traffic,” he said during a working visit to the site.
According to the minister, the new bridge to be built will handle all the light and heavy cargo traffic coming from Zambia and other countries in the hinterland to the port of Beira, in Sofala province.
However, while the money is being mobilised to build the new development, Carlos Mesquita said that a temporary bridge, 420 metres long, will be built at a cost of 7 million dollars.
“This temporary bridge will allow heavy and light traffic to pass. Its construction will take between three and four months. It’s a very acceptable solution for the situation we’re in,” he emphasised.
The Samora Machel bridge connects National Roads 7 and 9, and its use has been restricted in recent weeks due to structural problems caused by the passage of overweight vehicles.
