Lilongwe Gets Major Infrastructure Upgrade
The project includes reconstructing and expanding Lilongwe Bridge to a five-lane carriageway, making it Malawi's largest bridge upon completion.
LILONGWE, Malawi - President Lazarus Chakwera on Wednesday launched a major infrastructure project aimed at improving Lilongwe's roads and bridges, writes Winston Mwale.
The project includes reconstructing and expanding Lilongwe Bridge to a five-lane carriageway, making it Malawi's largest bridge upon completion.
The K37 billion project is being funded by a grant from the Japanese government.
"This is an engineering masterpiece that will not only ease congestion but also spur trade linkages with neighboring countries within the Nacala Corridor," Chakwera said at the launch event.
The new bridge will be three times larger than the previous structure.
The kilometer-long project will also introduce modern aesthetics to areas along both sides of the bridge.
Congestion has long plagued the Malawian capital.
The bridge expansion is part of a larger effort to upgrade Lilongwe's neglected infrastructure.
"For decades, Lilongwe has remained neglected. Now it will have infrastructure befitting its status as our capital city," Chakwera said.
The project aims to reconstruct and widen a stretch of the M1 highway running through Lilongwe.
Chakwera thanked the Japanese government for providing the K37 billion grant that made the project possible.
"Thank you to the Japanese Government for the funding towards this critical project," he said.