On October 13, 2024, President of Tanzania, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, visited Mwanza to inspect the construction progress of the J.P Magufuli Bridge, which stretches 3 kilometers across Lake Victoria, along with 1.66 kilometers of connecting roads.
The project, which links the Usagara-Sengerema-Geita Highway, is reported to be 93% complete.
Addressing the President during the site visit, Minister of Works, Innocent Bashungwa, expressed appreciation for the government’s financial support.
“We are grateful for your continued commitment to ensuring timely disbursement of funds, which has enabled us to make steady progress. We expect the bridge to be ready for use by February 2025,” Bashungwa said.
He further explained that the contractor had already completed all concrete work on the bridge.
“The team is now focused on paving the 1.66 kilometers of connecting roads with asphalt and working on landscaping, safety barriers, and other essential features,” he added.
The construction of the J.P Magufuli Bridge is fully funded by the Government of Tanzania at a total cost of TZS 716.3 billion.
The amount covers payments to contractors and supervising engineers, compensation for affected individuals, and design services.
The project is being implemented under the Ministry of Works, with the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) overseeing the work.
The contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, is collaborating with China Railway 15 Bureau Group Corporation (CCECC - CR15G JV).
Supervision is provided by a consortium led by Yooshin Engineering Corporation of Korea, with contributions from Cheil Engineering Co. Ltd (Korea), Rina Consulting S.P.A (Italy), and Afrisa Consulting Ltd (Tanzania).
The bridge, once completed, will be among the longest in East Africa, providing a crucial link between communities across Lake Victoria and significantly reducing travel time.
