KIGAMBONI BRIDGE; SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT

President Jakaya Kikwete inspecting the Kigamboni Bridge. With him are; Hon Minister, John Magufuli, Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Said Meck Sadiki, NSSF Chairman, Abubakar Rajabu, NSSF Dirctor General, Dr. Ramadhan Dau and NSSF Engineer Karim Mattaka.

The completion of the “long awaited” Kigamboni bridge is just around the
corner.

Scheduled to be opened in July 2015, the bridge is a ‘dream come true’ to many Dar es Salaam’s residents as it is expected to boost the socio-economic growth of the Kigamboni area.

The 32 meter-wide bridge, will have six lanes – three in each direction – and two pedestrian and cyclist lanes with a width of 2.5 meters. There will also be a toll-bridge plaza on either side of the bridge.

NSSF is funding 60 per cent of the Tsh. 214.6 billion project, while the government of Tanzania is contributing 40 per cent of the remaining cost. The bridge will be one of its kind in East and Central Africa, and is one of the most important milestone projects ever to be undertaken by the government since independence.

Some of the advantages of the bridge are:

Ease of traffic - by providing an alternative and spacious route from the original ones either through the ferry or via Kongowe.

Tourism Boost - being an attraction sight by itself and also providing efficient access to the nice beach hotels, DSM Zoo, Funcity and other tourist destinations. Gezaulole, South of Kigamboni has a cultural programme for tourists to learn about Zaramo life and local history, as well as run day trips to Sinda Island and places around Kigamboni.

Increase in manufacturing activities - due to easy flow of materials in and out of Kigamboni, the bridge will facilitate industries such as cement factories whereby the availability of raw materials is readily available coupled with a high rate of construction activities.

Also, availability of grazing and arable land have led to the construction of a new milk processing plant and due to the high yield rates of fruit and vegetables, more fruit processing factories will be imminent to be in Kigamboni.

Ease of transportation of goods and services can be easily achieved either by
directly using the bridge or the bridge itself acting as a control to ease congestion on other transportation routes.

The Land value addition - is most likely to occur since most places with easy access tend to score higher land value than the areas where accessibility is minimal.

De-congestion of some of the over-populated settlements in Dar es Salaam – 
as more people will be encouraged to live in Kigamboni where plenty of affordable plots and houses are available.

With the ease of transport, increase in manufacturing and tourist activities, Kigamboni will be contributing to the national economy at large.

Basic facts about Kigamboni Bridge and its approach Roads:

According to Engineer Karim Mattaka of NSSF, the construction will involve;

1. Construction of 680m bridge connecting the Kigamboni side of Dar es Salaam and the Kurasini side. The bridge will have 400m cable stayed bridge (bridge whose weight and the load on it is supported by cables). The other 280m will be the box girder supported by columns.

2. Construction of 2.5 km approach roads. 1 km will be on the Kurasini side and 1.5 Km will be on the Kigamboni side. The road will join the Mandela expressway through elevated free interchange to separate traffic approaching and leaving the junction.

3. The bridge will have six lanes (three in each direction) and two pedestrians/cyclists lanes with width of 2.5 meters (one on each side).

4. There is going to be a toll plaza for controlling and charging of vehicles passing through the bridge. A total of 14 controlled lanes are going to be in this area (seven for each of the two directions).

5. For management of operations of the bridge, a total of 7 building structures are going to be built adjacent to the toll plaza these are;

• Administration buildings
• Ambulance, Police and a Fire Station
• Laboratories
• Generator Room 1
• Generator Room 2
• Weight Bridge Control Room and
• Toll Station.

6. The layout/profile of the project from the Kurasini side to Kigamboni will be;

• Free interchange above Mandela Road sloping to the level of existing roads in each direction
• Ramps sloping towards the TAZARA Railway Bridge passing under it
• Road embankment from TAZARA bridge to the Kigamboni Bridge Abutment on the Kurasini side
• The bridge
• Road embankment from Bridge abutment on the Kigamboni side to the toll plaza.
• Toll Plaza and the buildings
• Road embankment from the toll plaza to the end of the road.

Property International Magazine