15 Jan 2017

The Ministry of Transport and Communications will January 16 officially sign Contract Agreement on the construction of the Okavango River Bridge in Mohembo.

As press release from the ministry states that the contract for the construction of the bridge was awarded to ITINERA and CIMOLAI Joint Venture from Italy for the sum of P1 billion .

The project which is expected to be completed in July 2019 will be supervised by CPP Botswana (Pty) Ltd consultant.

The release also states that the construction of Okavango River Bridge in Mohembo village is fully funded by the government of Botswana through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.

It is located in the North-Western region of the country, spanning between Mohembo East (Kauxwi) Ferry Landing Site and Mohembo West (Shakawe) Ferry landing Site.  

The civil works comprise the construction of a 1, 161 metre-long road bridge, with the following configuration; Left Bank: 4 spans; 32.75 45.00, 32.75m, Main Channel: Cable Stayed of 3 spans; 100, 200, 100m, Right Bank: 14 spans of 32.75, 12x45.00, 32.75m. Pedestrian walkways and lighting over the bridge and along 3 km of approach road will also be available.   

The release further states that the bridge is of socio-economic importance to the Delta and Chobe areas, as well as to the rest of the country.

It will among other benefits, make services available to all by reducing crossing time, make it feasible for expansion of future road network, integrate tourist attraction sites and activities such as lake Ngami, Tsodilo, Aha Hills and others.   

Meanwhile the construction of the Mohembo River Bridge will also address the challenges imposed by the existing pontoon service, which is currently unreliable due to unfavourable weather conditions and restricted working hours. BOPA