Motorists stranded as bridge connecting Chingola to Chililabombwe cut off

Truckers and motorists travelling to and from Kasumbalesa were left stranded on Sunday following the collapse of the Kakoso Bridge, which connects Chingola to Chililabombwe and the border. According to the Road Development Agency (RDA), the bridge collapsed after heavy rainfall in the early hours of Sunday. Preliminary investigations indicate that existing culverts failed due to excessive stormwater.

The affected section of the road falls under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) concession with Turbo Kachin. RDA chief communications and corporate affairs manager, Anthony Mulowa, said emergency intervention works to restore traffic flow through an alternative route had begun. “In the interim, motorists travelling to and from Chililabombwe, Kasumbalesa and Chingola, more so those operating haulage vehicles, are strongly advised to suspend movement of trucks using this route to prevent traffic congestion and allow seamless execution of the emergency works being carried out,” Mulowa said.

“The Agency regrets the inconvenience caused and assures the public that every effort is being made to restore safe traffic flow within the next 48 hours.” Copperbelt Minister, Elisha Matambo, described the incident as regrettable, given the strategic importance of the highway. “We regret to inform the public of the incident where Kakoso Bridge collapsed between Chingola and Chililabombwe. Measures are being taken to provide a detour,” Matambo said.household connections. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.