Zimbabwe and Zambia Agree to Remove Freight Traffic from Historic Victoria Falls Bridge
Zimbabwe and Zambia have agreed to redirect heavy commercial vehicles and freight trains away from the Victoria Falls Bridge, with industrial traffic to be rerouted to a purpose-built crossing further downstream along the Zambezi River. Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema confirmed that both governments are aligned on removing vehicles weighing 30 tonnes or more, as well as freight trains, from the 120-year-old steel arch structure. The decision is aimed at relieving strain on the heritage crossing, which currently accommodates an uneasy mix of road vehicles, rail carriages, pedestrians, and tourism activities including bungee jumping operations.
The planned new road and rail bridge, engineered to handle contemporary cargo volumes, is intended to separate freight and tourism traffic - reducing congestion and improving crossing times for safari vehicles, transfer coaches, and foot passengers. Tourism access to the Victoria Falls Bridge will remain fully operational, with bridge walks and adventure activities continuing unchanged. The Kazungula Bridge corridor already functions as a major freight alternative, and the new crossing is expected to further redistribute commercial traffic across the region. However, implementation timelines remain uncertain, with funding - particularly for the new bridge construction - identified as the primary challenge. No definitive construction schedule has been confirmed, and the travel trade should expect current operations to continue while both governments advance the longer-term infrastructure plans.
Source: Travel News Africa