CONSTRUCTION WORKS BEGINS ON NEW DAR ES SALAAM BRIDGE

President John Magufuli and South Korea Premier, Mr Lee Nak-yeon sign MoU for New Dar es salaam bridge construction.

Construction is set to kick-off on the new Dar es Salaam bridge. Meanwhile the MoU was sign in the presence of President John Magufuli and South Korea Premier, Mr Lee Nak-yeon.

According to the MoU, the bridge will cost $126.26 million (Over Sh284bn) and will be complete in 2021. It will also have a structure that will run from Selander bridge and along the Indian Ocean beach front in the city.

The 180-tonnage capacity bridge will ferry 55,000 vehicles per day. It will also greatly reduce congestion along the overwhelmed independence-time Selander bridge.

President Magufuli said  “With advanced technology that Korea has, I don’t expect the contractor to delay in completing the project.”

The deal was sign between Tanzania National Roads Agency (Tanroad) and GS Construction Company of South Korea. Meanwhile South Korea will cover 82.9 percent of the cost while Tanzania will fund the remainder.

Tanroad chief executive officer Patrick Mfugale said ”The bypass will connect AgaKhan Obama drive and Coko Beach at the junctions of Kenyatta and Toure roads.”

The President also said he is seeking for loan from  South Korean through Exim Bank to help Tanzania. He said it will be use for the construction of the Mwanza-based three kilometer Kigongo-Busisi Bridge.