Chambeshi Bridge to be commissioned by President Hakainde Hichilema, following completion of repairs

LUSAKA, FRIDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER 2022 - FOLLOWING the completion of repair works on the Chambeshi Bridge situated in Kanchibiya District of Muchinga Province, President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA is expected to commission its full operation. Minister of Transport and Logistics Hon. FRANK MUSEBA TAYALI, MP said this will result into the resumption of the movement of both passenger and goods trains between the two countries and beyond. The Minister said the bridge which connects New Kapiri Mposhi and Kasama at Chambeshi River suffered extensive damage from a goods train accident that occurred on 13th May, 2021. In order to allow for major repairs to the Bridge, on 13th October 2021, the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) suspended the usage of the bridge leading to the closure of a stretch of about 83 Kilometres between Chambeshi and Kasama Stations. Hon. TAYALI said the measure was reached at so as to safeguard the interests of the freight traffic customers. He said upon an appeal by the Management of TAZARA, the Government of the Republic of Zambia quickly mobilised and granted US$1.9 million to TAZARA to facilitate the commencement of repair works on the Chambeshi Bridge in November 2021. Repair works started in March 2022. Now that the repair works have been completed, with all the damaged parts removed and replaced, the Minister expressed confidence and declared that the track is fully restored.  Currently, the physical testing of the bridge by running trains across is underway and the exercise is expected to be concluded by Wednesday 14 September 2022, when full train operations will resume.  Issued by: ORIGINAL SIGNED. NDUBI MVULA PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS