Zambia and Zimbabwe are preparing for a major shake-up along one of Southern Africa’s most iconic crossings, with plans to restrict heavy freight traffic on the Victoria Falls Bridge and replace it with a modern alternative.
The announcement was made by Hakainde Hichilema during an engineering conference in Livingstone, where he confirmed that both countries are pushing toward a long-term solution that includes a new road and rail bridge built for today’s transport demands.
For operators running cross-border loads, this is a big one. That bridge has been carrying everything from light vehicles to heavy rigs for over a century, but the strain is starting to show.
A bridge pushed to its limits
Built back in 1905, the Victoria Falls Bridge links Zambia and Zimbabwe across the Zambezi River. It was never designed for the kind of traffic we see today, especially the 60-tonne combinations and long freight trains moving through the corridor.
Over the years, authorities have already introduced speed limits for trains and strict weight controls for trucks. A refurbishment in 2006 bought some time, but it did not solve the core problem. Simply put, the structure is ageing and no longer suited for modern logistics.
Why the shift is happening
Officials say upgrading the existing bridge to handle current freight volumes would cost nearly as much as building a brand-new crossing. That has pushed both governments toward a more practical route.
The plan is to divert heavy trucks away from the historic bridge and move them onto a new, purpose-built structure. The existing bridge is expected to remain in use for lighter traffic, tourism, and general travel.
Boost for regional trade routes
This move ties directly into improving the North-South Corridor, a critical route linking Zambia’s Copperbelt and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to markets further south.
Right now, congestion and infrastructure limits are slowing things down and pushing up transport costs. A new bridge with both road and rail capacity could ease pressure and improve turnaround times for cross-border hauliers.
There are also plans to align the project with the Mosetse-Kazungula-Livingstone Railway, building on momentum from the Kazungula Bridge, which has already improved traffic flow since opening in 2021.
Funding still a hurdle
While both governments are backing the project, funding remains a challenge, particularly for Zimbabwe. Securing investment will be key before anything moves from planning to construction.
If it goes ahead, this could be one of the biggest infrastructure upgrades in the region in years.
For now, one thing is clear, that old bridge has done its time. The next chapter looks like it’s going to be built for the kind of loads we’re hauling today.
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