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🇨🇩 DR Congo /Energy & Infrastructure

New Kaluebo Bridge Improves Safety on DR Congo’s RN1 and Eases Trade Between Kasaï Provinces

From Radio Okapi · () French

Translated from French and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • The new Kaluebo bridge on DR Congo’s National Road 1 has improved traffic between Kasaï and Kasaï-Central.
  • The bridge opened before its official inauguration on the decision of Kasaï Governor Crispin Mukendi, reducing risks linked to the old structure.
  • Transporters and business operators expect easier movement of passengers and goods, while authorities urged drivers to respect weight limits.

Truck drivers can now cross the Kaluebo bridge with passengers still on board, replacing a dangerous routine required by the old structure on DR Congo’s National Road 1.

The new bridge has opened to traffic between Kasaï and Kasaï-Central ahead of its official inauguration. Kasaï Governor Crispin Mukendi authorized the opening to reduce accident risks associated with the deteriorated former bridge.

Willy Mulumba, a truck driver, said the old crossing forced operators to make passengers get off before the vehicle crossed. “Previously, we had to make passengers get off before crossing the bridge. But now, we can cross the bridge with them on board,” he said.

Previously, we had to make passengers get off before crossing the bridge. But now, we can cross the bridge with them on board.

— Willy MulumbaThe truck driver described the safety problems caused by the old bridge and the change brought by the new one.

The bridge is also expected to improve trade between the two provinces. Business operators hope it will reduce delays and losses caused by difficult conditions along the route. Jean-Pierre Kamuabu of the National Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises in Kasaï-Central welcomed the change, saying, “This is a good thing for us. Our goods will be able to move more easily between the two provinces.”

Provincial authorities nevertheless called on drivers to respect weight limits to protect the new structure and preserve its durability.

This is a good thing for us. Our goods will be able to move more easily between the two provinces.

— Jean-Pierre KamuabuThe FENAPEC representative in Kasaï-Central described the expected benefit for trade.
About this summary

Originally published by Radio Okapi in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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