Africa-Press – Tanzania. TRAVELLERS to northern regions may soon breathe a sigh of relief as construction of new Wami Bridge in Bagamoyo District, Coast region, will be completed in September, next year.
The completion of the project, undertaken by Chinese Contractor, will largely contribute to reducing road accidents as a result of risky and outdated infrastructures the current bridge has having been built 62 years ago.
According to project Consultant Engineer Gabriel Sangusangu, the project of 67.7bn/- has been completed by 55.5 per cent.
“With increased demand brought by increased number of vehicles, the old bridge has become inadequate to meet the demand.
“Due to this situation, the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) found it necessary to build the new bridge to replace the current one.
“Therefore, once operational, the new bridge will bring relief to motorists and travelers from regular accidents at the place due to unsafe passages at the old bridge.
“The new bridge is being built by considering challenges of the existing bridge, including sharp corners and steep slope that have been factors for regular accidents or trucks failing to climb,” Eng Sangusangu stated over the weekend, during a tour of Roads Fund Board (RFB) members at the project site.
Before arriving at the Wami Bridge, the members visited other rehabilitated road projects in Dar es Salaam.
The Board spent over 900bn/- during the last financial year, to rehabilitate and do regular maintenance of the roads countrywide.
He explained that new modern bridge that is being constructed about 670 metres from the old bridge, will have a length of 510 metres while the old bridge’s length is 88.75 metres.
The TANROADS and the contractor signed an agreement for implementation of the project in 2018.
Initially, the project was planned to be completed in September last year but the contractor asked for extension until September, 2021 to give more time for arrival of some machineries from China.
Currently, the contractor has delivered needed machineries by 95 per cent and the project is fully funded by the government.
Chairman of the RFB, Joseph Haule, said the board was waiting for completion of the project so that it starts its mandated duties of ensuring maintenance and repairs of the bridge.
“September next year isn’t far, we are waiting for completion of the project, so that public funds spent on construction of this bridge bring efficiency,” he said.
Equally, the chairman congratulated the government for seeing importance of constructing the new bridge that is one of country’s strategic bridges.
He also hailed the government for ensuring that local content was considered by engaging domestic consultant engineers in the implementation of the project.
Mr Haule further counseled the TANROADS to accommodate all necessary features, when designing roads to save costs of rehabilitation.
On his side, manager of the RFB, Mr Eliud Nyauhenga, said the new bridge would be safe for travellers and motorists, since there will be no steep slopes and sharp corners.
