ZAMBIA, BOTSWANA TO CONSTRUCT RAILWAY ACROSS ZAMBEZI

Zambia and Botswana have signed a US $259m agreement to construct a 430-km-long railway to link the two countries across the Kazungula Bridge. Both countries have agreed in principle to construct the railway line and have it completed and commissioned by June 2020.

The project aims to reduce transit time and transportation costs for both the people and goods traded, boosting trade among other member states in the region. The railway project dubbed, ‘Mosetse-Kazungula-Livingstone’, will run across the bridge once completed.

The actual cost of the project will be established after undertaking a feasibility study. According to Zambia Railways board chairperson Lubinda Linyama, the railway line will reduce transit time and transportation costs for both the people and goods and it will also help increase trade in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

The railway construction programme is at its infancy currently hoping for the completion of the more than 900-m-long Kazungula bridge after technocrats from both countries and other financiers have finalised the legal framework expected to be received in due course.

Linyama allayed fears that the bridge would not be complete in the scheduled time following rescheduling the completion timetable, but confirmed that the two countries were determined to ensure the project was completed as planned despite challenges faced in recent months.

His counterpart Adolf Hechfeld, was optimistic that the two countries will work expeditiously to complete the project using the Kenya model of building an elevated railway line through the national park.

The railway line in Kenya, traversing through the national park, is built like a bridge. This is to ensure the animal corridors remain open; a concept that allows free management of animals while preventing accidents in the national parks.https://constructionreviewonline.com/2019/07/botswana-zambia-to-construct-railway-across-zambezi/