In a strategic move to improve freight movement while protecting the historic Victoria Falls Bridge from further structural stress, Zambia and Zimbabwe have announced plans to build a new road and rail bridge across the Zambezi River.
The new bridge, to be constructed a few kilometers downstream of the current bridge, will handle heavy cargo traffic, including freight trains and large commercial trucks. This will allow authorities to restrict the aging Victoria Falls Bridge, commissioned in 1905, to lighter vehicles, passenger trains, and tourism-related use.
The development was confirmed by Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, who explained that the decision was made with Zimbabwe to maintain the bridge’s structural integrity as part of modernizing cross-border transport infrastructure. Over the years, there have been concerns about increased freight and heavier loads on the bridge, and engineering experts have raised concerns that the bridge has experienced long-term fatigue in its steel framework.
Logistically, the project is likely to enhance efficiency on major regional routes by isolating heavy cargo traffic and directing tourism and light traffic to the primary routes. This will help minimize congestion, improve safety, and simplify the transfer of goods between the two nations.
The project is also consistent with larger regional transport initiatives, such as the US$2.18 billion railway project to connect Lion Den in Zimbabwe to Kafue in Zambia. It is a 311-kilometer line that Transport Minister Felix Mhona of Zimbabwe and Transport and Logistics Minister Frank Tayali of Zambia agreed upon, and it will enhance rail connectivity and help move cargo off road networks.
The railway will be built along the existing highway corridor, comprising 16 stations and two marshalling yards, increasing volume and shortening transit time. The transition to rail transport will also reduce the costs of maintaining roads and help achieve more sustainable logistics, officials claim.
Moreover, continued upgrades at border points like Chirundu are likely to complement the new infrastructure, enhancing turnaround time and easing trade flows.
As regional trade and competition between transport corridors intensify, the new bridge and railway projects put Zimbabwe and Zambia at the center of the logistics network in Southern Africa. It is also anticipated that the developments will reduce transportation costs, especially as alternative routes and port options like Beira and Dar es Salaam continue to compete for cargo volumes.
The proposed infrastructure is a major step toward creating a more resilient, more efficient, and future-ready transport network in the area without losing one of the most significant examples of engineering in Africa.
