A major infrastructure milestone is set to reshape regional connectivity as the Senqu Bridge prepares to open, linking communities between South Africa and Lesotho.
Scheduled for official unveiling on 22 April 2026, the bridge is expected to play a critical role in maintaining transport routes and supporting broader development efforts in the region.
A strategic link in a changing landscape
Located in Lesotho’s mountainous Mokhotlong District, the Senqu Bridge stretches approximately 825 metres and rises around 90 metres above the valley below. Its construction comes at a crucial time, as the nearby Polihali Dam continues to take shape.
Once the dam is completed and water levels increase, several existing roads in the area will be submerged. The new bridge will therefore become an essential alternative route, ensuring uninterrupted access between local communities and national road networks.
The structure will also connect directly to the A1 route, a key arterial road linking Mokhotlong with Maseru, strengthening internal mobility within Lesotho while enhancing cross-border movement.
Part of a broader water and development project
The bridge forms part of Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, a long-standing collaboration between South Africa and Lesotho.
The project is designed to secure water supply for South Africa—particularly for Gauteng—while simultaneously supporting infrastructure development and energy generation in Lesotho.
By tapping into the Orange–Senqu river system, the initiative feeds into the Integrated Vaal River System, which supplies water to households, agriculture and industries across South Africa.
Once completed, Phase II is expected to significantly increase water transfer volumes, addressing rising demand in one of the country’s most economically active regions.
Beyond its strategic importance, the Senqu Bridge represents a notable engineering achievement. It is the first structure of its kind in Lesotho to adopt a hybrid design combining cable-stayed and girder construction techniques.
It is also one of three major bridges being developed in this phase, alongside the Mabunyane and Khubelu bridges, while construction continues on a 38-kilometre water transfer tunnel linked to the Polihali Dam.
Together, these projects highlight a broader push toward regional integration and long-term resource security in Southern Africa.
Source: Project briefings and regional infrastructure updates
