The iconic Victoria Falls Bridge, a pivotal connection between Zimbabwe and Zambia, has stood the test of time, remaining structurally sound 119 years after its construction. This was confirmed in a recent inspection report by Emerged Railway Properties Private Limited, a company jointly owned by the governments of the two nations through their respective railway companies, National Railway Zimbabwe and Zambia Railway Limited.
The bridge, which is set to celebrate its 119th anniversary in September, continues to be a testament to enduring engineering and cross-national cooperation. Emerged Railway Properties, responsible for the bridge’s upkeep, ensures it remains in optimal condition to serve its economic and logistical purposes effectively.
According to a statement from Emerged Railway Properties, the maintenance of the bridge is a collaborative effort involving technical teams from significant institutions such as the Road Development Agency of Zambia and the Road Department of Zimbabwe. These teams, along with health and safety, and security experts, conduct annual inspections to confirm the bridge’s structural integrity. These inspections are crucial in maintaining the bridge’s safety and viability.
The most recent principal inspection was conducted by Rambo, a Denmark-based structural engineering firm. The firm’s findings were positive, noting that the Victoria Falls Bridge is generally in very healthy condition. The current maintenance routines were deemed sufficient to ensure the bridge’s long-term durability.
The report from Emerged Railway Properties highlighted an optimistic forecast for the bridge’s longevity. “We assume service life of the main structure of 200 years from the original construction until 2105. It is clear that the life expectancy of the bridge is, in fact, estimated to be less than 200 years from the year of construction in 1905 which implies that life expectancy still stands over 100 years,” stated the organization.
The assurance from Emerged Railway Properties to all stakeholders and users is that the Victoria Falls Bridge remains a reliable, safe, and economically valuable structure. This ongoing commitment to its maintenance ensures that the bridge will continue to facilitate transportation and foster connectivity between Zimbabwe and Zambia for many years to come.
