09 Feb 2020

Construction of Lobatse overhead pedestrian bridge commenced on February 7 with official ground-breaking done by cabinet ministers, Mr Eric Molale and Dr Thapelo Matsheka.

The P25 million project is a partnership between Lobatse Town Council (LTC) and Botswana Railways (BR).

LTC used its P10 million constituency development fund, while additional funding came from BR Properties.

Mr Molale, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, pointed that the overhead bridge would facilitate safe movement of pedestrians across the railway line between the town centre and bus rank.

“A lot of accidents used to occur around this place with some vehicles and people being hit by the train when they tried to cross the railway. This project therefore demonstrates commitment to ensure the safety and security of pedestrians,” he said.

For his part,  Dr Matsheka, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, said the project reflected a successful partnership between the council and a parastatal.

“We want to see more of these partnerships develop around the country,” he said.

Dr Matsheka, who is also MP for Lobatse, commended Lobatse leadership for finding it important to use its constituency development fund for such an iconic investment in the town.

The managing director of BR Properties, Mr Utlwanang Golebanye, explained that the project was the initiative of Lobatse Town Council meant to address pedestrians challenges.

He said LTC approached BR Properties to partner with them.

He said the bridge would stretch from the central business district adjacent to the building housing Chicken Licken food outlet and cross the railway line up to the bus rank.

He said the bridge would have an intermediate landing to accommodate people with disability as well as to allow officers from BR to access their residence. 

He further said the bridge walkway level would be six metres high.

He added that the bridge would have kiosk for snacks at the top and adequate lighting for security purposes.

Mr Golebanye said the construction by China Civil Engineering would finish next year in February. Ends