The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
Government and Chinese investor, Sinomine (Hong Kong) Rare Metals Resources that operate giant lithium producer — Bikita Minerals, has entered into a Public-Private Partnership that will see US$10 million being poured into the construction of a bridge over Save River to connect Manicaland and Masvingo provinces.
This comes as the iconic Birchenough Bridge now only has 12 years remaining in its century lifespan.
Both Government, through the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, and Sinomine (Hong Kong) Rare Metals Resources, have confirmed the development.
In an interview with The Manica Post, Transport and Infrastructural Development Deputy Minister, Honourable Joshua Sacco said: “We are guided by President Mnangagwa who encourages us all to think outside the box and not to solely rely on the fiscus to finance all national status projects.
“This gave birth to the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between Government and Bikita Minerals for the construction of an alternative bridge over Save River.
“This is a breath of fresh air in terms of infrastructure development. The construction of this bridge will open up the provinces of Masvingo and Manicaland to trade and commerce, as well as at national and regional level between Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa.
“The upgrading of Forbes Border Post will also open up the South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique Corridor. Plans to open up Cashel Valley Border Post to commercial traffic will also complement the initiative for regional integration and trade as we move towards the African Continental Free Trade Area.”
Manicaland Provincial Roads Engineer, Engineer Kudzi Maganga also confirmed the development: “Bikita Minerals has proposed to build a new bridge over Save River at a new location.
“Traffic will therefore be diverted to the new bridge once it is completed. Birchenough Bridge is 88 years old and has a design lifespan of 100 years.
“The Department of Roads will continue to maintain the old bridge and it will be used as a bypass when necessary.
“Maintenance work at Birchenough Bridge include, but is not limited to re-painting of the superstructure, concrete remedial works, re-tightening or re-torqueing of bolts and nuts, stay cables, lubricating joints, opening of weep holes and so on,” said Engineer Maganga.
Over the years, the towering structure has become a one-way passage for vehicles weighing less than 25 tonnes.
A boom gate at each end of the bridge prevents more than one large vehicle from driving across at any given time.
In e-mailed response to questions sent by The Manica Post, Bikita Minerals (Private) Limited confirmed that US$10 million has been set aside for the construction of a new structure that will stand side-by-side with the existing arch bridge.
Bikita Minerals said feasibility studies, detailed project designs, engineering designs and working drawings are almost complete.
“Early this month, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development.
The MoU defines the basis for collaboration between the parties in the financing, designing, constructing, and operating of a new bridge over Save River near Birchenough Bridge.
“Feasibility studies, detailed project designs, accompanied by engineering designs and working drawings are almost complete.
“Recently, a team of Chinese engineering experts was in the country, working with a Zimbabwe based bridge engineering team to ensure that the feasibility studies are according to the standards and specifications of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development.
“Design and construction shall follow Southern African Transport and Communications Commission (SATCC) and Zimbabwe Codes of Practice, Standards and Specifications.
“An initial budget of US$10 million has been set aside for the project. The construction of a new bridge is an undertaking we made to Government in 2022,” said Bikita Minerals.
The lithium investor said that the construction of the new bridge is part of its cooporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
Just like the existing structure, the new bridge will provide a vital link between Manicaland and Masvingo Provinces.
It will also enhance the movement of goods, services and people from northern Mozambique and eastern part of Zimbabwe to South Africa.
Bikita Minerals said a year will be required for construction work.
“The construction work’s duration is 12 months, barring any unforeseen circumstances. Employment of locals will be prioritised,” said Bikita Minerals.
Birchenough Bridge is one of the oldest bridges in the country.
Foundations were commenced in April 1934 and were ready for steelwork in November.
The arch span was completed on June 17, 1935, and the concrete roadway was practically complete at the end of September 1935.
The iconic arch bridge was designed by Engineer Ralph Freeman and was built by Dorman Long.
The structure was named in honour of businessman, Sir John Henry Birchenough, who served as chairman of the Beit Trust.
In 2018, the then Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Dr Jorum Gumbo, ruled out the rehabilitation of Birchenough Bridge, highlighting that it would be more economical to erect a new structure with a bigger carrying capacity.
