The Structural Integrity and Economic Viability of the Victoria Falls Bridge
The Victoria Falls Bridge is under the stewardship of Emerged Railways Properties (Pvt) Limited (ERP), a company co-owned by the governments of Zimbabwe and Zambia, represented by their respective railway companies, the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) and Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL).
A significant part of ERP’s mandate is to maintain the structural integrity of the Victoria Falls Bridge, ensuring its safety and economic viability. To accomplish this, ERP has adopted a stringent bridge maintenance regime encompassing the following activities:
A comprehensive inspection is conducted every five years by an independent international consultant. The most recent of these inspections took place in August 2022. Furthermore, an annual inspection is performed by a collaborative team of technical staff from key institutions such as the Roads Development Agency (RDA) of Zambia and the Roads Department of Zimbabwe. The purpose of these inspections is to verify the structural integrity of the bridge. Additionally, a skilled and experienced contractor has been entrusted with the continuous maintenance of the bridge, conducting regular checks on its structural condition.
The latest principal inspection was carried out by Rambøll, a structural engineering firm based in Denmark. The firm’s report stated:
“The Victoria Falls Bridge is generally in excellent condition, and the current maintenance schedule is adequate for ensuring its durability. Provided that the items listed in the summary are addressed and good maintenance practice continues, we anticipate a service life of the main structures of 200 years from the original construction, i.e., until 2105.”
This statement implies that the expected lifespan of the bridge, originally constructed in 1905, is no less than 200 years, meaning its remaining lifespan stands well over 100 years, given the continuation of the strict maintenance regimen implemented by ERP.
In light of this information, ERP reassures all stakeholders and users that the Victoria Falls Bridge remains structurally sound, safe, and economically viable.