Chinese-built 135mln USD bridge opens in Tanzania

Tanzanian President John Magufuli on Tuesday inaugurated a 135 million US dollar Kigamboni Bridge built by Chinese in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam, saying the bridge will contribute to the country's economic growth.

"The Chinese contractors have done a good job," Magufuli told the Chinese ambassador to Tanzania, Lu Youqing.

The President thanked China for the excellent job done by China Railway Construction Engineering Group (CRCEG) in a joint venture with China Railway Major Bridge Group (CRMBG).

The CRCEG/CRMBG project manager, Zhang Bangxu, said they employed over 5,000 Tanzanians as local foremen and technicians who have gained on-job experience.

"They can now be able to manage projects of similar proportions," said Zhang, adding that the construction of the bridge has given CRCEG and CRMBG credibility to undertake other construction works in the east African nation.

The 680 meter-long bridge, the first of its kind in east and central Africa, connects Dar es Salaam's business district to Kigamboni creek.

The bridge, measured 32 meters in width, has six lanes, three in each direction. It also has two pedestrian and cyclist lanes with a width of 2.5 meters, one on each side.

The president said the bridge was also expected to boost the domestic tourism sector in the planned Kigamboni city, making it a holiday beach.

Magufuli declined an offer to name the bridge after his name and suggested that the bridge should be named Nyerere Bridge in recognition of the country's founding leader -- Julius Nyerere.

The project was jointly funded by the Tanzanian government and the National Social Security Fund. Enditem