By Kefiloe Kajane
The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) this week announced that the Senqu bridge construction contract which is under Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) went out to tender on March 4.
LHDA indicated in a statement that at a length of 825m and almost 100m high, the Senqu Bridge will be the first extra-dosed bridge in Lesotho, which combines both pre-stressed box girder and cable-stayed elements in an efficient design. This is the largest of the three bridges that will be constructed under Phase II to span the Polihali reservoir.
It said the Polihali reservoir in the valleys and tributary catchments of the Senqu and Khubelu Rivers, which will be formed by the construction of the Polihali Dam, will have a surface area of approximately 5 000 hectares. Besides the three major bridges, the restoration of access across the reservoir also necessitates the construction of new approach road sections to the bridges that tie into the existing A1 road.
“The A1 is the main road between the Mokhotlong district in the north-east of the country and the capital, Maseru. Experience and expertise are crucial in delivering a sophisticated, technically challenging project of this kind, which will be one of the few for the LHWP and Lesotho.
“Based on our experience with other major works tenders, we are confident that our call for tenders will attract the right mix of expertise and experience. With its unique features, the Senqu bridge will not only form part of the safe and efficient road infrastructure network constructed under Phase II, but will be a major tourist attraction contributing to long term benefits in stimulating sustainable economic growth.”
