New bridges for the South

Roads Authority with assistance from Technonam Roads and Bridges has started with the rehabilitation and widening of three bridges on Trunk Road 01/4 between Mariental and Rehoboth in the Hardap Region
The work on Mansguber River Bridge, Tsumis River Bridge and Tributary to Rooidam Bridge will be supervised by a joint venture of consulting engineers from Ulmann, Withaus, Prince and Engelbrecht.
The project is expected to cost N$74million, is expected to be completed within the next 12 months and will create approximately 100 jobs for residents living in the surrounding districts.
Road Authority on Tuesday signed a contract with Technonam Roads and Bridges for all the work on the three bridges that constitute the contract.The parastatal also hosted an official ground-breaking ceremony to commence work on Wednesday.
Speaking at the signing ceremony at the Roads Authority offices in the capital on Tuesday, Roads Authority CEO, Conrad Lutombi said the decision to rehabilitate the structures between Mariental and Rehoboth comes after an assessment was done following a directive from the government to investigate and assess all existing bridges and culvert structures in the country.
“Amongst others, the outcome of the assessment identified the structures between Mariental and Rehoboth as being in a dilapidated condition and recommended the rehabilitation of those structures. Truck Road 01/5 is a strategically important link in the Namibian road network and the SADC Region,” he said.
The three bridges form an integral part of the road network that links Windhoek to the south of Namibia and to South Africa.
Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony on Wednesday in Rehoboth, Deputy Minister of Works and Transport, Hon. Kilus Nguvauva said “ this project is another step closer to reaching one of our objectives as stated in Namibia’s Vision 2030 which is to have safe and cost-effective transport infrastructure available throughout the country.”
“The major work on all three bridges will include the rehabilitation of the existing bridges and widening of bridges and approaches. During the construction period, temporary bypasses will be constructed to accommodate traffic. The holiday season is fast approaching; we will therefore ensure that minimum disruption is caused to motorists during this period,” he said.
The Governor of Hardap Region, Katrina Hanse-Himarwa commended the Roads Authority, the Ministry of Works and Transport as well as the Rehoboth community for work to be done on the road.
She said that the B1 trunk road is one of the most important modes of communication and trade in the country as it connects the country to most countries in SADC.
“That is why our roads should be of good quality. We have one of the best road infrastructure, but there is still room for improvement. Upgrading of these bridges will minimise the lost of lives on the road” she said.
Meanwhile, Roads Authority is currently working on the construction of three bridges on the road from Okahandja to Ovitoto in the Otjozondjupa Region and the rehabilitation of the Ongwediva and Okandjengedi bridges in the Oshana Region. These projects are nearing completion and will be inaugurated by the minister of Works and Transport next month.