The contracts for detailed design and preparation of bidding documents for the 604 km Serenje-Nakonde road was signed on 9 July 2012. This important road makes up more than half of the 1040 km of North-South Corridor Roads categorized by the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite in 2009 as in urgent need of rehabilitation.
The Tripartite Project Preparation and Implementation Unit (PPIU)[1], supported by TMSA, are managing preparation of three sections of this road[2] with funding from the European Development Fund (5 million Euro)
This final step of preparations will be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2013[3]. Once funding has been secured, construction will be tendered – estimated at approximately US $ 600 million.
[1] The PPIU have been operational since the end of 2011, and was established in order to fast track the preparation of regional infrastructure projects for financing and to ensure better cooperation between the various project preparation facilities. The operations of the PPIU are currently supported by TMSA.
[2] These are 1) link between Serenje – Mpika (235 km), for which Consultant Gauff of Germany have been appointed. 2) The second link is from Mpika and Chinsali (164 km) for which consultant TYPSA of Spain have been appointed. 3) The third link is between Chinsale to Isoka and Nakonde Border Post (205 km) for which Consultant Grontmij of Denmark have been appointed.
[3] Estimated
