PROGRESS UPDATE ON MOHEMBO BRIDGE PROJECT – BOTSWANA

Progress Updated on Mohembo Bridge Project  in Botswana

Essential Cargo to enable the construction of the “crossed elephant tusk tower” at the Mohembo Bridge Project in Botswana has successfully arrived Walvis Bay, Namibia. Botswana, being a landlocked country will facilitate the transportation of the 10,720 metric tons cargo using 160 heavy-duty trucks to the construction site at more than 1,100km away.

The multi-million dollar 1.2km cable stayed bridge is currently under construction across the Okavango River to connect Mohembo East to Mohembo West. Construction for the bridge has been ongoing since November 8, 2016 and was initially estimated to complete on July 7, 2019. The contractor handling the project is a joint venture foreign company – Itinera-Cimolai.

Despite being a foreign entity, which are often considered over local contractors. The project has suffered series of construction setbacks⁽¹⁾. Likewise, government has deliberately avoided to mention the current cost of the project. However, during the 2019/20 development budget presentation by Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mr. Kenneth Matambo. The minister is making a provision of P1.85 bn to fund ongoing projects like the Mohembo Bridge⁽²⁾. In fact, it is quite obvious that the project won’t be delivered on time and budget.

However, once completed, this infrastructure will spur economic activities within the country. Not only-but also, build the technical capacity of local engineers and artisans.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Owner: Roads Department Ministry of Transport & Communications
• Gen. Contractor: Itinera–Comolai SpA – JV Botswana 
• Consultant: CPP Botswana
• Description: Cable-Stayed Bridge
• Length: 3,000m approach roads | 1,161m bridge
• Width: 12.4m
• Height: 55m pylon
• Spans: 605.5m +400m +155.5m
• Stays: 30

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