Work has started on the remaining two major bridges to be built under the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) Phase II after the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) awarded the M511.5-million construction contract to Concor-Nthane Brothers M&K Bridges joint venture (JV).

The JV comprises main partners Concor Construction (South Africa) and Nthane Brothers (Lesotho), as well as sub-contractors Post Tensioning and Structural Solutions (South Africa) and Bridge Joints and Rehabilitation Contractors (Lesotho).

Work on the contract started on August 29 and the two bridges across the Mabunyaneng and Khubelu rivers are expected to be completed towards the end of October 2025.

The construction contract of the biggest of the trio of bridges – the Senqu Bridge – was awarded in late 2022, following which construction of the temporary site facilities has progressed and excavations have started for the massive pier and abutment foundations necessary to support the 825-m-long and 90-m-high bridge.

Once complete, the three major bridges will provide access to Mokhotlong town across the reservoir, even at full supply, and retain connectivity to the national road network along the A1, the main road between the Mokhotlong district in the mountainous north-east of the country and the capital Maseru.

“The impounding of the Polihali reservoir will submerge existing roads and tracks, affecting communities in the valleys and tributary catchments of the Senqu, Khubelu, Mokhotlong, Moremoholo and Sehonghong rivers.

“The major bridges along with a network of feeder roads and the main access roads to the project area all contribute towards minimising this disruption and help to restore community access to healthcare facilities, schools, shops and markets,” explains LHDA Polihali branch manager Gerard Mokone.

Phase II divisional manager Ntsoli Maiketso adds that the trio of bridges will form part of the safe and efficient road infrastructure network constructed under Phase II, as well as become a major tourist attraction contributing to long-term benefits in stimulating sustainable economic growth.

The Khubelu Bridge will be about 270 m long with nine 30 m spans and two abutments, while the Mabunyaneng Bridge, the smallest of the three major bridges, will be about 120 m in length and has four 30 m spans and two abutments. The bridges will both be 13.55 m wide.

Led by Zutari, work on the design of the Mabunyaneng and Khubelu bridges started in 2018. Zutari also designed the Senqu Bridge and is supervising the construction of the three bridges.