‘Mantšali Phakoana
The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) has awarded a massive M511, 5 million tender to Concor-Nthane Brothers M&K Bridges Joint Venture for construction of two major bridges to restore access across Polihali reservoir.
In a recent statement, the LHDA said work commenced on August 29 this year, with the two bridges across the Mabunyaneng and Khubelu rivers expected to be completed towards the end of October 2025.
The JV is made up of main partners, Concor Construction (Pty) Ltd (South Africa) and Nthane Brothers (Pty) Ltd (Lesotho). Post Tensioning and Structural Solutions (Pty) Ltd (South Africa) and Bridge Joints and Rehabilitation Contractors (Pty) Ltd (Lesotho) are the sub-contractors.
The contract for the construction of the biggest of the three bridges, the M2 million Senqu Bridge, was awarded in late 2022.
LHDA said at the Senqu bridge site, construction of the temporary site facilities is well progressed. Excavations have started for the massive pier and abutment foundations necessary to support the 825m long and 90m high bridge, it noted.
When complete, the three bridges will provide access to Mokhotlong town across the reservoir even at full supply. It will also retain connectivity to the national road network along the A1, the main road between the Mokhotlong district in the mountainous north-east of the country and the capital, Maseru.
“The impounding of the Polihali reservoir will submerge existing roads and tracks, affecting communities in the valleys and tributary catchments of the Senqu, Khubelu, Mokhotlong, Moremoholo and Sehong-hong rivers,” said LHDA manager Gerard Mokone in the LHDA statement.
He noted that the bridges along with a network of feeder roads and the main access roads to the project area all contribute towards minimising this disruption and help to restore community access to healthcare facilities, schools, shops and markets.
As in the case of the Senqu Bridge, the design of the Khubelu and Mabunyaneng bridges have taken into consideration the challenging high altitude construction conditions and the Mokhotlong highlands’ long, cold and harsh winter conditions.
The health and safety of workers on the bridge construction site, according to the LHDA, is of particular importance. The Khubelu Bridge will be approximately 270 metres long with nine 30m spans and two abutments.
Mabunyaneng Bridge, the smallest of the three major bridges, will be approximately 120m in length and has four 30m spans and two abutments. The bridges will both be 13.55 metres wide.
Phase II divisional manager, Ntsoli Maiketso said the trio bridges will not only form part of the safe and efficient road infrastructure network constructed under Phase II, but they will also be a major tourist attraction contributing to long-term benefits in stimulating sustainable economic growth.
He noted that work on the design of the Mabunyaneng and Khubelu bridges started in 2018, led by Zutari, formerly Aurecon Lesotho. Zutari also designed the Senqu Bridge and is supervising the construction of the three bridges.
Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) entails the construction of the Polihali Dam, the 38km Polihali Transfer Tunnel, the associated infrastructure and a hydropower scheme at Oxbow. It builds on the successful completion of Phase I in 2003.
The LHWP delivers water to the Gauteng region of South Africa and utilises the water delivery system to generate hydroelectricity for Lesotho. Phase II will increase the current supply rate of 780 million cubic metres per annum incrementally to more than 1 270 million cubic metres per annum. It will also increase the quantity of electricity generated in Lesotho.
The project is a further step in securing an independent electricity source to meet Lesotho’s domestic requirements and reducing the country’s dependence on imported energy.
