Fatshimetry: Rehabilitation of the Lwizi bridge, a crucial project for the SNCC
For five long months, rail traffic has been interrupted on the routes linking Kalemie to Kindu and Lubumbashi, following the collapse of the Lwizi bridge, located on the border between the territories of Kabalo and Nyunzu. This major disruption not only hampered the fluidity of trade and population movements, but also highlighted the challenges that the Société nationale des chemins de fer du Congo (SNCC) must now face.
Faced with this critical situation, SNCC announced the imminent launch of rehabilitation work on the Lwizi bridge. Samy Ilunga wa Umba, Director of the Great Lakes region of the SNCC, affirmed that the first stages of the work will begin next week, with the arrival of a construction locomotive and the necessary equipment at the site of the collapse of the bridge. A major project will be deployed to restore this vital structure for the Congolese railway network.
This bridge, essential to the connectivity of the territories and regions served by the SNCC, is of major strategic importance. Indeed, the two axes impacted by its closure, namely Kalemie-Kindu and Lubumbashi, are crucial routes for the transport of goods and travelers across the Congo. The rehabilitation of the Lwizi bridge will therefore make it possible to restore rail traffic on these essential sections, thus promoting the economic and social development of the regions crossed.
However, SNCC’s efforts to repair the Lwizi Bridge are hampered by various obstacles, including the flooding of part of the railway line in Kalemie. These logistical difficulties underline the challenges that the railway company faces in its mission of maintaining and modernizing its infrastructure.
In conclusion, the rehabilitation of the Lwizi bridge turns out to be a crucial project for the SNCC, but also for the entire Congolese railway network. By bringing this strategic work back to life, the SNCC will contribute to strengthening the country’s connectivity, stimulating economic exchanges and improving population mobility. This renovation undertaking therefore constitutes a major challenge for the sustainable development and prosperity of Congo and its population. The success of this project will depend on the commitment and determination of all the actors involved, in order to restore the Lwizi bridge to its central place in the Congolese railway landscape.