Tuesday, 02 January 2024 12:17 GMT

Uganda officially resumes heavy traffic on repaired Karuma Bridge


(MENAFN) On Monday, Uganda officially reopened the Karuma Bridge, a crucial connector on an international highway that links the nation to regions in South Sudan and the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Allan Ssempebwa, a communications officer at the Ministry of Works and Transport, stated via telephone that the bridge, situated in the midwestern part of the country, is now open to heavy vehicles. Previously, access was restricted to light traffic.

"Crossborder trailers moving between Uganda, South Sudan and the DRC are now free to use the bridge, which now reduces the distance they were using previously," he stated.

Ssempebwa noted that the bridge's full reopening followed the successful installation and curing of expansion joints. "These are critical components that allow the bridge structure to expand and contract with temperature changes and traffic loads, thereby maintaining its structural integrity and extending its lifespan," he added.

The rehabilitation project was a collaborative effort between the Chinese construction firm China Railway Seventh Group and the Ugandan military. Ssempebwa praised the Chinese company for completing the high-quality work ahead of schedule.

Originally built in the 1960s, the Karuma Bridge was closed in September for major renovations and partially reopened in December for light vehicle traffic only.

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