Zambia and Zimbabwe to Build New Zambezi Bridge for Freight as Victoria Falls Bridge Shifts to Tourism Use
Zambia and Zimbabwe have announced plans to construct a new road and rail bridge across the Zambezi River, aiming to improve freight movement while preserving the historic Victoria Falls Bridge.
The new structure will be built a few kilometers downstream and is designed to handle heavy cargo traffic, including freight trains and large commercial trucks.
This will allow authorities to restrict the existing Victoria Falls Bridge commissioned in 1905 to lighter vehicles, passenger rail, and tourism-related use.
Hakainde Hichilema confirmed the development, noting that the joint decision reflects a shared commitment to safeguarding the structural integrity of the historic bridge while modernizing cross-border transport infrastructure.
Engineers have raised concerns over long-term fatigue in the bridge’s steel framework due to increasing freight loads over the years.
Improving Regional Logistics Efficiency
The new bridge is expected to significantly enhance logistics efficiency by separating heavy cargo from passenger and tourism traffic.
This approach will reduce congestion, improve safety, and streamline the movement of goods between the two countries.
The project also aligns with broader regional infrastructure initiatives, including a $2.18 billion railway linking Lion Den in Zimbabwe to Kafue in Zambia.
The 311-kilometer line, agreed upon by Felix Mhona and Frank Tayali, will strengthen rail connectivity and shift more cargo away from road networks.
Planned along an existing highway corridor, the railway will include 16 stations and two marshalling yards, increasing capacity and reducing transit times.
Officials say the shift to rail will also lower road maintenance costs and support more sustainable transport systems.
Strengthening Regional Trade Corridors
Additional upgrades at key border posts such as Chirundu Border Post are expected to complement the new infrastructure, improving turnaround times and facilitating smoother trade flows.
As competition intensifies among regional transport corridors, the new bridge and railway projects position Zambia and Zimbabwe as key transit hubs in Southern Africa. Improved connectivity is also expected to reduce transportation costs and enhance access to alternative export routes through ports such as Port of Beira and Port of Dar es Salaam.
Preserving Heritage While Building for the Future
Beyond its economic benefits, the project will help preserve one of Africa’s most iconic engineering landmarks while creating a more resilient and efficient transport network.
By balancing heritage conservation with infrastructure development, Zambia and Zimbabwe are laying the groundwork for a future-ready logistics system in the region.
