The Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Works and Transport has commenced the construction of the New Karuma Bridge to replace the aging 1963 structure and address critical safety, structural, and regional trade challenges along the major highway connecting Uganda to other regions.
Karuma Bridge remains a vital link on the Northern Corridor, handling heavy commercial trailers moving goods to and from Kenya, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Though the old bridge has been repaired, many trucks still get accidents at the S curves as they maneuver throughand the approach road to the old bridge has S-bends which impose risks to loaded trucks and in addition, the old bridge is two lane and narrow with sharp curves at approach roads and cannot evacuate traffic faster.
The new bridge approach roads are straight and vehicles are expected to move faster. The new bridge will guarantee structural integrity and safe travel for road users.
The old bridge will not be closed. It will remain open for emergency, auxiliary traffic and tourism attractions and the old bridge will also remain open during the construction of the new bridge.
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According to the Minister of Works and Transport Hon Fred Byamukama, the New Karuma Bridge is funded through a grant of US 24 million dollars from the Japanese Government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and it will provide a higher elevation, cable-stayed/suspended design to straighten sharp curves, improve safety and handle regional transport demands.
Construction by Japanese contractor Zenitaka Corporation has commenced and the project is expected to take 36 months and the span for the new bridge is 245 m and width is 11.5m, that is, carriage way of 7m for traffic and 2m wide pedestrian walkway.
