Victoria Falls bridge under threat says tourism association

The Livingstone Tourism Association has raised concerns over continued congestion caused by heavy trucks at the Victoria Falls in border post in Livingstone, saying it has potential to reduce the lifespan of the facility.

LTA now wants the government to consider closing the Victoria Falls bridge to heavy trucks in order to protect the facility. Speaking during a media briefing in Livingstone, LTA  chairman Mr Alexander Munthali said the Victoria Falls border post has been turned into a truck parking yard because the queue of heavy trucks increases daily.

“We need the trucking business but we do not need it in the middle of the city or at our border entry points like Victoria Falls and Kazungula Border as is the case.

“A by-pass is required to take truck traffic from the west coming from Kazungula to the north of the Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport to intersect the Lusaka road at the weighbridge area,” he said.

He said the by-pass must be a toll road which can collect revenue from trucks to help in  road maintenance.

The LTA chair argued that the bridge was not built to contain heavy traffic as is the case today.

“The bridge will get damaged and this will be another huge cost for the government. Besides, the recent situation at the border has already instigated different views as circulation on social media is increasing over the issue,” he said.

Source: Victoria Falls bridge under threat says tourism association (10/06/17)