2 May 2021
Tom Head
The Kazungula Bridge between Botswana and Zambia is almost ready to open for business, and it is set to revolutionise travel in Southern Africa.
From next Monday, motorists looking to cross the Zambezi River will have more than one major route to choose from, as the Government of Botswana confirmed that the Kazungula Bridge is ready to welcome commuters.
Where is the Kazungula Bridge?
The bridge, which straddles the borders of Botswana and Zambia, is almost one kilometre long. The six-year project was completed at the end of 2020, and with all the final checks in place, this historic opening is almost upon us!
“The Ministry of Transport & Communications is pleased to announce that the official opening of the Kazungula Bridge & one-stop border post facilities is scheduled for Monday 10 May. The construction of the bridge over the mighty Zambezi River commenced in December 2014 and the final inspection was undertaken in October 2020.
“The Bridge and its associated works, is expected to ease access to international markets through connectivity with major seaports. Freight and passengers transit time is projected to be significantly reduced due to improved border management operations arising from the One-Stop Border facilities.”
What you need to know about the Kazungula Bridge
- – There are single carriageways for motor vehicles, and a single railway track and pedestrian walkways on both sides.
- – The structure has specifications of length 18.5m width and span arrangement of 923m.
- – It will feature a vehicle inspection building, freight inspection building, truck transit offices (entry and exit), health inspection building, and veterinary offices.
- – The bridge is designed as an extra-dosed road-rail bridge to accommodate a future railway line which will link Mosetse-Kazungula in Botswana to Kazungula-Livingstone in Zambia. And that’s not all…
How will it connect South Africa to Zambia?
The new route also gives long-haul drivers to and from South Africa a new, alternative way round. The usually-packed Beitbridge border post is one of the busiest on the continent, but travellers from Zambia and other nearby countries can now traverse a path over the Zambezi, via Botswana. Here’s how the Kazungula Bridge will connect us all:
