Lilongwe bridge ready for demolition

Roads Authority (RA) has announced that Lilongwe Bridge will be demolished on November 16 as part of expansion works to turn the section between Bunda Turn-off and Kanengo on the M1 in Lilongwe into a dual carriageway.

In an interview on Thursday, RA spokesperson Portia Kajanga said they have made plans to ensure that road users are not inconvenienced during the construction of the bridge.

She said there are two detour bridges, one upstream, which is 80 metres long and eight metres wide, and it will be used by motorised traffic only.

Kajanga said another bridge has been constructed downstream and is 88 metres long and four metres wide. She said this one is for pedestrians and other non-motorised traffic.

“Currently, the progress is at 90 percent and it is on schedule. All works on the detour bridges are expected to be completed by November 15. The old bridge, is therefore, scheduled to be demolished on November 16,” she said. 

Lilongwe Police Station traffic station officer Nestol Mafosha said there will be road signage to direct road users to avoid confusion, especially during the early days.

“There will also be road traffic officers within the area who will guide road users in case of need,” he said.

Embassy of Japan head of economic cooperation Naoyuki Shima, whose government is funding the project to the tune of K24 billion, expressed satisfaction with the progress.

“We committed our support towards this project and it is our hope that all goes according to plan,” he said.

The rehabilitation works started in May this year and are scheduled for completion in March 2026.

The bridge is expected to cost K24 billion, to be funded by a Japanese Government grant.

Meanwhile, John Anusa, a motorist in the city, has commended the rehabilitation of the bridge, saying it was long overdue. n