The construction of the US$248 million (R2.32 billion) Kazungula Bridge will infinitely improve the quality of life for the thousands of people who are currently reliant on a ferry to travel between Zambia and Botswana.

Schoolchildren and breadwinners are forced to wait a minimum of four hours to get across the bridge, but the development of the new bridge will drastically improve access to and from both countries, highlights GIBB’s director: electrical engineering, Dr Willem Sprong.

The Kazungula Bridge is a pact between Botswana and Zambia – a bilateral trade tie. The bridge would be instrumental in aiding Botswana and Zambia to work together, increase trade and assist citizens’ work in either country without work permits.

The project will see leading South African consulting engineering company GIBB earn at least R40 million, through a joint venture with Nippon Koei, managing the review of the pre-construction phase and detailed designs, and ultimately the construction.

According to Sprong, the Kazungula Bridge is a 960 m bridge to be built over the next five years. The start of construction is planned for March 2014 with completion expected inearly 2018.This new bridge will accommodate both road and rail.

“We are responsible for the design review, tender documentation and supervision of the construction of the Kazungula Bridge project,” said Sprong. He added that the bridge will be unique in that it would consist of two one-stop border posts on either side of the bridge, which will prevent queuesofmotorists on the bridge itself.

Other players in the JV working on the project include Bothagka Burrow Botswana, CPP Botswana and Zulu Burrow Development Consultants.

“One of the challenges on this project is that there is an annual three-month flooding season on the area and this will potentially hinder the construction during this period. The team would have to ensure that they maximise the period before flooding season starts to meet the appropriate deadlines,” adds Sprong.