KATAVI: THE ongoing trio bridges project by the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) is set to significantly enhance connectivity between Katavi and Rukwa regions, forming a crucial link in the Western Corridor Road Network.
The bridges will also connect areas within the Southern Highland Zone, improving access to Mpimbwe council, Rift Valley and the rice-producing Lake Rukwa Basin.
The Agency’s Acting Katavi Regional Manager, Eng Albert Lazier highlighted that once completed, the bridges will ensure year-round connectivity, facilitating the smooth flow of goods and services and supporting economic growth.
The World Bank-funded bridge projects, worth 17.28bn/-, will include the construction of Katumba, Mirumba and Kilida bridges, set for completion within 12 months.
He said the project’s completion will ease the movement of people, services, and goods within Katavi, Rukwa and the Southern Highland Zone.
“Contractors are working around the clock under TANROADS’ supervision to complete these urgent infrastructure projects,” Eng Lazier said.
MS Mselem Civil Engineering Co. Ltd. is constructing the 55-meter Katumba Bridge along the Sitalike-Lymba lya Mfipa road, at a cost of 9.1bn/-.
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MS Safari General Business Co. Ltd., in partnership with Ms. Mbuya Construction Co. Ltd., is building the 60-meter Mirumba Bridge along the Kitete-Kibaoni road, at a cost of 6.39bn/-.
MS Fau Construction Company, in joint venture with Four Brothers and Sisters Co. Ltd., is tasked with constructing the Kilinda Bridge along the Sitalike-KibaoniKisesa road, along with 16 box culverts along the Majimoto-Kisesa road, at a cost of 1.78bn/-.
The trio bridges project will stimulate economic growth by facilitating smoother transportation of goods, especially agricultural products like rice from the Lake Rukwa Basin.
Enhanced access to markets will promote local trade, increase investment opportunities, and attract businesses to the area.
This infrastructure development will also create jobs, improve the movement of people and services, and support the overall economic integration of the Southern Highland Zone into Tanzania’s broader economy.
During a January site visit, Deputy Minister for Works, Engineer Godfrey Kasekenya, directed TANROADS to ensure contractors complete the projects on time and meet required quality standards in line with the allocated funding, ensuring value for money
