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Unity Bridge Daraja la Umoja (Swahili) Ponte da Unidade (Portuguese)
Coordinates	11°24′52″S 38°29′39″E / 11.41444°S 38.49417°E / -11.41444; 38.49417
Carries	2 lanes
Crosses	Ruvuma River
Locale	Negomano, Mozambique Mtambaswala, Tanzania
Other name(s)	Unity Bridge 1
Characteristics
Design	Box girder bridge
Material	Prestressed concrete Reinforced concrete
Total length	720 metres (2,360 ft)
Width	13.8 metres (45 ft)
Height	up to 10 metres (33 ft)
No. of spans	18
History
Designer	Norconsult
Constructed by	China Geo-Engineering Corporation
Construction start	16 October 2005
Construction cost	US$ 35 million
Inaugurated	12 May 2010
Location

The Unity Bridge (sometimes called "Unity Bridge 1") across Ruvuma River at Negomano, Mozambique, between Tanzania and Mozambique, was proposed as early as 1975, shortly after Mozambique's independence. It was the idea of the two countries' former Presidents, Mwalimu Nyerere and Samora Machel. Several design studies and limited construction work were completed in the early 1980s, but the Unity Bridge was not finished due to lack of funds.

In 2002, the two national governments made a formal agreement to build a new bridge across the river. The first foundation stones were laid both on Tanzanian and Mozambican sides on October 10, 2005. Construction was initially planned to be finished in 2008.

In 2005, Norconsult was awarded the contract for preliminary design and construction supervision of the bridge. It was planned to be about 720 m long.

The project was hoped to boost development in Mtwara Region (Tanzania), Cabo Delgado (Mozambique) as well as in the Southern African Development Community region as it is an important component of the Mtwara Development Corridor. It would also shorten the distance along the Cape to Cairo Road.

Environmentalists say it will destroy Niassa Reserve in Mozambique which is home to elephant, buffalo, sable and roan herds.

The Unity Bridge over the Rovuma River was built by the China Geo-Engineering Corporation with COWI as consultants for the detailed design and finally inaugurated on 12 May 2010 by the presidents of Mozambique and Tanzania.

The rehabilitation of access roads on both sides of the bridge is to be started. A second, smaller bridge, Unity 2, was completed in 2007.

See also

• Friendship Bridge (disambiguation) - an alternate name
• Mtwara Development Corridor

References

• Kapama, Faustine (11 September 2008). "Unity Bridge to boost Dar, Maputo business". Daily News. Dar es Salaam. Retrieved 17 March 2010.

Notes

1. "Technical specifications". COWI Africa. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
2. Ministry of Trade and Industry (South Africa); et al. (21 August 2005). "Prefeasibility And Environmental Baseline Study For The Ruvuma River Interface Final Report" (PDF). Selous - Niassa Wildlife Corridor. p. 56. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
3. Valy, Bayano (January 2005). "Bridging the Ruvuma, bridging unity". Southern African News Features. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
4. "'Unity Bridge' to link Mozambique and Tanzania". Mail & Guardian. Johannesburg. 8 October 2005. Retrieved 17 March 2010.

v t e Bridges in Tanzania
International	Rusumo Rusumo International Songwe Unity
Local	Nyerere Kikwete Kilombero Kirumi Kyaka Mkapa New Ruvu Selander Wami
Under construction	Mbutu Sibiti

v t e Bridges in Mozambique
Armando Emilio Guebuza Benga Dona Ana Mozambique Island Samora Machel Unity

• Ruvuma River
• Box girder bridges
• Mozambique–Tanzania bridges
• Bridges in Mozambique
• Bridges in Tanzania
• Mozambique–Tanzania relations
• Buildings and structures in Cabo Delgado Province
• Buildings and structures in the Mtwara Region