NEW BRIDGE EASES TRAFFIC FLOW BETWEEN RWANDA AND TANZANIA
(Posted 29th August 2014)
The Rusumo Bridge over the Kagera River was officially opened earlier in the week, easing the flow of traffic between Rwanda and neighbouring Tanzania. The new bridge took two years to construct and adjust the roads on both sides of the river, spans over 80 metres and crosses the border which, though not visibly marked (as yet) is right in the middle.
It is in particular cargo traffic using the route for imports to Rwanda, Burundi and the East of the Congo DR for goods landed at the port of Dar es Salaam and using the so called central corridor to deliver goods but also facilitate exports. The new bridge has raised the previous maximum load from 52 to nearly 400 tons, greatly facilitating the use of larger trucks which should reflect in reduced cargo charges. The two countries have also agreed to construct and then use a single customs and immigration post to expedite traffic and the movement of people which is expected to be ready by the end of the year. The project was financed by the Japanese government using JICA as the implementing agency.
