Unity Bridge

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This article or section contains information about a bridge currently under construction.
It may contain information of a speculative nature, and the content may change dramatically and frequently as construction progresses or new information becomes available.

The Unity Bridge across Ruvuma River between Tanzania and Mozambique was proposed as early as 1975, shortly after Mozambique's independence. It was the idea of the two country's former Presidents, Mwalimu Nyerere and Samora Machel. Several design studies and limited construction work were completed in the early 1980s, but the Unity Bridge was not finished due to lack of funds.

In 2002 the two national governments made a formal agreement to build a new bridge across the river. First foundation stones where laid both on Tanzanian and Mozambique sides on October 10th 2005. Construction is to finish in 2008.

In 2005, Norconsult was awarded the contract for preliminary design and construction supervision of the bridge. It will be about 730 m long.^[1]

The project would boost development in Mtwara Region (Tanzania), Cabo Delgado (Mozambique) as well as in the Southern African Development Community region as it is an important component of the Mtwara Development Corridor. It will also shorten the distance along the Cape to Cairo Road.^[2]

Environmentalists say it would destroy Niassa Reserve in Mozambique which is home to elephant, buffalo, sable and roan herds.^[3]