Tanzania’s largest city, Dar es Salaam, is to benefit from the new Jangwani Bridge. Costing $35 million, the 390m bridge is being built by the Chinese firm, China Communications Construction Company (CCCC). The contract was awarded to the firm by the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) and the work is expected to take 24 months to complete.

Construction of the bridge, with two lanes in either direction, will make a major improvement in traffic flow for Dar es Salaam. The new link will carry the Morogoro Road over the Jangwani Flood Plain, which suffers flooding during the rainy season, affecting traffic on this busy route. The existing bridge is just 47m long, with limited clearance and has become increasingly vulnerable to floodwater during the rainy season. Drivers are often required to make lengthy detours on alternative routes that can be jammed with too many vehicles.

Reaching a height of 15.5m, the new bridge also features 700m approach roads, linking Magomeni with Fire Station. The construction of the bridge forms part of the wider Msimbazi Valley Development Project, which is benefiting from $200 million of funding being supplied by the World Bank.

Other works include the construction of the Igogo Bridge and Mkwajuni Bridge as well as additional culverts and drainage measures to handle floodwaters. The Msimbazi Valley Development Project will improve infrastructure from the centre of the city out to the North West of the city.

With an expanding population estimated at over 7 million, Dar es Salaam is the largest city in East Africa (surpassing the 5 million estimated for Nairobi) and fifth largest in Africa. Its vehicle numbers are also growing, with the existing infrastructure struggling to cope and delays being frequent. The new transport improvements will help traffic flow and cut congestion.Editor/Wang Xia