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Fresh hope as JPM set to open Kigamboni Bridge

This is how the bridge looks like following its completion. PHOTO | FILE

What you need to know:

Residents around the areas – which are naturally divided by a narrow gulf – started making use of the bridge on Saturday, ahead of the official launch tomorrow.

Dar es Salaam. President John Magufuli will commission the $135 million (Sh290 billion) Kigamboni Bridge tomorrow, raising hope of smoother movement of people and goods between Kigamboni and other parts of Dar es Salaam.

Residents around the areas – which are naturally divided by a narrow gulf – started making use of the bridge on Saturday, ahead of the official launch tomorrow.

The cross-sea bridge, which is the first of its kind in the history of Tanzania, connects Kurasini and Kigamboni areas in commercial capital Dar es Salaam.

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A joint venture between the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and the government, the Kigamboni Bridge is undoubtedly the longest cable-stayed bridge in East Africa.

Constructed by China Railway Construction Engineering Group (CRCEG) and China Railway Major Bridge Engineering Group (CRMBEG), it has a toll plaza for controlling and charging of vehicles.

The bridge will connect to an approach road of about 1.0 km that will cross the Tazara Railway line to the north and will intersect with Mandela Road. On the Kigamboni side, the bridge will connect to an approach road of about 1.5 km that will intersect with the Kigamboni Ferry - Kibada Road.

Local workers, who took part in the construction process, say they gained invaluable experience during the construction period.

According to the CRCEG/CRMBG Project manager, Mr Zhang Bhang Xu, over 5,000 Tanzanians were employed at the project since 2012 when construction started. They worked as local foremen and technicians who have gained on-job experience. “They can now be able to manage projects of similar proportions,” said Mr Xu.

One of them is Mr Francis Mambo, said in Dar es Salaam last week that he gained invaluable hands on experience during the lifetime of the project.

“As one of the local expert, I can comfortably employ the knowledge gained while working on the Kigamboni Bridge to do similar civil works anywhere where duty calls,” he said.

Before the bridge got constructed, Kigamboni was almost separated from Dar es Salaam’s Central Business District. The bridge now offers people the option of accessing their homes and businesses through the road. The two suburbs are currently accessible by two daily ferry services that transport 1000 passengers and 78 vehicles per trip.