The road link between DR Congo and Zambia will be improved – image courtesy of © Peter Hermes Furian, Dreamstime.com
A concession package has been signed for an important highway link in Africa. The DR Congo’s Ministry of Infrastructure has agreed the package with the project management company GED Africa as well as the Agence Congolaise des Grands Travaux (ACGT).
The 25-year concession will be managed under a build-operate-transfer basis for the stretch of the GED Africa Route that runs through DR Congo. The link will require the construction of an entirely new highway section as well as the upgrading of existing road. The new highway corridor will deliver major gains in connectivity between DR Congo and Zambia, boosting transport for this region of Africa.
Major improvement work will be carried out between Kasomeno in DR Congo and Mwenda in Zambia. Existing sections of the N35 in DR Congo and the M3 in Zambia will be upgraded or replaced by new stretches of road. In addition, upgrades will be made to the bridge link spanning the Luapula River that forms the border between DR Congo and Zambia. New border posts will also be built at either end f the 345m cable stayed bridge.
The Zambian Government stated recently that it is fast tracking work to the GED Africa route and will prioritise local contractors for the various segments. The Zambia Road Development Agency (RDA) is working on the portion of the route running through Zambia.
