President Hakainde Hichilema has announced a major shift in how traffic will move across the iconic Victoria Falls Bridge, confirming that Zambia and Zimbabwe have agreed to restrict heavy trucks and trains from using the historic structure.
By Advent Shoko
Speaking at the Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ) conference in Livingstone, Hichilema said the more than 100-year-old bridge is no longer fit for heavy-duty use. Built in 1905 during the colonial era under the vision of Cecil Rhodes, the bridge was designed as part of a grand railway link stretching from Cape to Cairo. Today, it remains one of Southern Africa’s most recognisable engineering landmarks and a critical tourism artery.
The President revealed that Zambia and Zimbabwe are now moving towards constructing a new, modern bridge and railway crossing specifically designed to handle heavy cargo traffic. This will allow the current bridge to be preserved for lighter vehicles, passenger trains, and tourism activities such as bungee jumping and sightseeing.
The development signals a careful balancing act between heritage conservation and economic expansion. By diverting heavy freight to a new structure, authorities aim to extend the lifespan of the Victoria Falls Bridge while improving regional trade efficiency and safety.
Beyond infrastructure, Hichilema reiterated Zambia’s ambition to grow its economy to US$80 billion, noting that it has nearly doubled over the past four and a half years. He stressed the need for all provinces to play a meaningful role in boosting national output. The President also floated an ambitious proposal to link the Luapula River to the Kafue River to enhance power generation capacity.
The development means cross-border logistics will soon become more efficient, tourism value will be preserved, and a new era of infrastructure modernisation is taking shape at one of Africa’s most strategic gateways.
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