Minister of Equipment and Housing Visits Bizerte Bridge Construction Site
The Minister of Equipment and Housing, Salah Zouari, visited the construction site of the new Bizerte bridge on Monday. The objective was to evaluate the progress of the work and remind companies of their commitments.
A Visit with High-Ranking Officials
The Minister was accompanied by the governor of the region, the general director of the project implementation unit, companies in charge of the work, and several central and regional officials.
First Two Phases Well Advanced
The Minister inspected the first two phases of the project:
- Phase 1: a 4.7 km expressway with 3 interchanges, at the intersection of national road 8 and highway A4.
- Phase 3: a 2.7 km expressway with an interchange towards Menzel Bourguiba via national road 11.
75% Completion of Phases 1 and 3
The Minister asked Tunisian companies to accelerate the pace so that the interchanges can be operational before summer, in order to reduce traffic pressure.
A Unique Bridge in the World
During a meeting with the officials of the Chinese company in charge of phase 2, the Minister recalled the importance of the project. This bridge will be:
- The first of its kind in Africa
- The second in the world according to its technical characteristics (concrete and metal structure)
Salah Zouari urged the Chinese side to mobilize all its human and logistical resources to catch up on delays and respect the agreed-upon schedule. The bridge is expected to be operational by the end of 2027.
The Main Bridge: Offshore Foundations Progress
The Minister also inspected the deep foundation work in the sea for the main bridge. The bridge measures 2.1 km and will rise about 60 meters above the Bizerte canal.
16% Completion of the Main Bridge
The completion of detailed technical studies will allow for the acceleration of this phase. The Minister emphasized the need for continuous monitoring and coordination between all parties involved.
