The Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA) in Tabora Region has completed the construction of a 60.3-metre-long stone bridge along the Sasu–King’wangoko–Seleli road in Kaliua District, aimed at improving transport infrastructure and stimulating economic and social development.
Speaking on the project, the Tabora Regional TARURA Manager, Engineer Lusako Kilembe, said the construction of the bridge cost 526.7 million shillings, funded by the World Bank through the RISE Project—an initiative focusing on removing infrastructure bottlenecks, particularly in rural areas.
Engineer Kilembe noted that the bridge ranks second nationwide in terms of length among stone bridges, after the 80-metre-long bridge located in Busega District, Simiyu Region.
“This bridge has enabled the government to save about 1.27 billion shillings. Had we constructed a conventional reinforced concrete bridge, the cost would have reached 1.8 billion shillings. This project will significantly stimulate the local economy,” he emphasized.
He further explained that the project implementation has reached 95 percent completion and is being executed by M/S Mgalang’ombe Co. Ltd, a Tabora-based contractor. The bridge is expected to be fully completed by the end of this year.
Engineer Kilembe added that the project is part of the Sixth Phase Government’s strategy to ensure roads are passable throughout the year, reduce transport challenges during the rainy season, facilitate the transportation of agricultural produce, boost trade, and improve access to social services such as health and education.
He also said the bridge will strengthen connectivity between Tabora and Shinyanga regions, a move expected to accelerate socio-economic development for residents in the surrounding areas.
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