The prospects for construction of the long-awaited new Kigamboni City section across Dar es Salaam harbor has been greatly boosted following the signing of a US$136 million (Tsh 214.6 billion) construction and funding pact between the Tanzania Government and two Chinese firms to construct a 680m bridge.
The new bridge that has been on the books since the 1970s, will link Dar es Salaam city centre to Kigamboni - east of the harbor and complement the Government plans to build a new modern city.
Speaking with the East African Business Week in Dar es Salaam, the Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, Professor Anna Tibaijuka said completion of the bridge was one of the early steps towards the preparations of a plan to construct the new city at Kigamboni.
She said that, "The purpose is to create well-organized connections between old urban centers and the forthcoming new city."
The Kigamboni new city Master Plan is designed to build a core for accommodating new land demand such as residential, commercial, trade and business, industrial, educational and recreational facilities in Dar es Salaam.
"Tanzania needs a tune of $6.7 billion (Tsh11trn) to create the Kigamboni New City. My Ministry, in partnership with the President's Office Public Service and Management has started a process of establishing the Kigamboni New City development Authority, " said Professor Tibaijuka.
The Government of Tanzania has signed a US$136 million (Tsh 214.6 billion) pact with China Railway Jiangchang Engineering CO. Ltd and China Major Bridge Ltd, to construct the 680-metre bridge after grueling years.
According to the Minister for Works, Dr John Magufuli, the four-kilometre long structure, including approaches to bridge is scheduled to start next month, February 2012. It will be wholly financed from local resources.
It will be funded 60 % by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and the remaining 40 % will be funded by the Tanzania Government.
The construction of the new bridge, the most modern in Dar City bridge, is expected to be completed in 36 months creating 3,000 jobs of which 1,000 will be permanent. Most of the employment, 2000 will be casual labourers.
Dr Magufuli said the bridge will stand a maximum of 55 metres and span of 200 metres between its two main supports, it will allow for ocean going vessels to sail underneath without interruption and it will have six lanes for motor vehicles.
That will cut the rigors of crossing the harbor channel by ferries or going around a circuitous route around the southern end of the harbour.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Tanzania National Roads Agency, Patrick Mfugale, the bridge will be constructed to international standard under the supervision of Arab Consulting Engineers from Egypt.
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