Kinshasa begins construction on étienne tshisekedi boulevard, chinese group awarded contract
RDC: Kinshasa begins construction on étienne tshisekedi boulevard, chinese group awarded contract
Kinshasa is set to gain a significant new eight-lane thoroughfare designed to substantially boost traffic flow capacity across a vital section of the Congolese capital. President Félix Tshisekedi officially inaugurated the construction work on Tuesday for the Étienne Tshisekedi Boulevard, a 2.02-kilometer-long project. The undertaking has been entrusted to the prominent Chinese firm, China Railway 20th Bureau Group. This ambitious 12-month construction initiative also encompasses a 750-meter connecting ramp, comprehensive drainage systems, multiple bridges, culverts, and a modern lighting infrastructure.
On Tuesday in Kinshasa, the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the future Étienne Tshisekedi Boulevard, marking the official commencement of the project. Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka and the capital’s Governor, Daniel Bumba, were also in attendance at the event. The plan involves the development of a main axis spanning 2,020 meters, configured with eight traffic lanes, featuring four in each direction. A complementary 750-meter ramp, equipped with two lanes, will enhance the overall infrastructure. Additionally, the project scope includes the implementation of advanced drainage systems, construction of bridges, culverts, and state-of-the-art lighting equipment. The stipulated contractual duration for completion is twelve months.
A chinese construction giant’s first public works project in RDC
The extensive construction efforts have been assigned to China Railway 20th Bureau Group (CR20), a specialized Chinese enterprise renowned for its infrastructure expertise. According to Zhang Guoxu, General Manager of China Railway 20th Bureau Group Angola International Company, this represents CR20’s inaugural public works contract executed within the Democratic Republic of Congo. The executive affirmed the company’s commitment to deploying all necessary resources to adhere strictly to the project’s timeline and technical benchmarks. He also highlighted the rigorous demands concerning structural quality and the imperative to manage the environmental impact throughout the construction phase. For his part, Governor Daniel Bumba underscored the crucial importance of respecting both the technical specifications and the deadlines outlined in the contract. The Governor expressed his anticipation that the completed structure would swiftly contribute to alleviating traffic conditions in the affected urban area.
Prior to the groundbreaking, President Félix Tshisekedi received a comprehensive presentation detailing the proposed route, the planned layout, and the primary structures to be erected. Visual representations of the future boulevard were also showcased. The explicit objective is to significantly increase road capacity along this corridor and to streamline movement within a capital city frequently plagued by severe congestion. The Étienne Tshisekedi Boulevard is thus poised to augment the existing road network by providing a wider and better-equipped infrastructure. However, its ultimate effectiveness will hinge on the quality of its execution, adherence to the announced timeframe, and its seamless integration with Kinshasa’s other major traffic arteries. Following the anticipated twelve months of construction, this new thoroughfare is expected to become an integral part of the capital’s road network, with the overarching aim of reducing pressure on several currently saturated routes.