Construction of the first bridge for the second phase of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP II) is set to start, following the award of the three-year contract to an international joint venture.

At 825m long and 90m tall, the Senqu bridge will be the largest of three to span the Polihali reservoir in the Mokhotlong Highlands in Lesotho, according to Engineering News. The reservoir will cover 5 000 ha once construction of the Polihali dam is complete.

The joint venture that will build the bridge comprises international, South African and Lesotho partners, as specified by the LHWP II agreement. Tenders for the construction of the remaining two bridges are still being evaluated.

‘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,’ says Phase II divisional manager Ntsoli Maiketso.

The bridge design had to accommodate the extreme winter conditions in the Highlands. It is also Lesotho’s first extra-dosed bridge and combines prestressed box girder and cable-stayed elements.

16 August 2022
Image: Unsplash/Guillaume Techer