Aris River Bridge between Rehoboth and Windhoek reopens after heavy rain collapse

The Aris River Bridge, which collapsed last year due to heavy rainfall and connects Rehoboth to Windhoek, has been opened and is now operational.

This was announced by minister of works and transport Veikko Nekundi on Wednesday.

Construction commenced in March 2025 and was completed last month.

Nekundi said in March 2025, one of the bridge’s piers on trunk road 1/5 – a primary transport corridor for the movement of goods, essential services, and people – settled significantly, causing severe damage to the bridge deck and rendering it unsafe and impassable.

“Upon hearing this, the China Railway Seventh Group (Pty) Ltd, already mobilised in the vicinity for the Windhoek–Hosea Kutako International Airport Road project, was rapidly engaged to implement emergency measures. Lithon Project Consultants (Pty) Ltd was appointed to provide specialist consulting services.

“Within 24 hours, an initial emergency bypass accommodating one-way traffic was completed at a total cost of N$2.96 million, restoring a critical lifeline to commuters and freight operators,” Nekundi said.

However, given the high traffic volumes and the economic impact of delays to logistics and commerce, Nekundi said a decision was taken to further upgrade the bypass to a two-way lane bypass.

The second intervention was completed at a total cost of N$14.95 million, bringing the total investment in bypass solutions to N$17.91 million.

As a permanent solution, the old bridge was demolished as it was beyond repair, and the construction of a new bridge was awarded to the Chinese company under a N$33.92 million contract.

Plans are underway to upgrade the trunk road 1/5 to a dual carriageway.

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