Rusumo Bridge, Border bridge on Kagera River, Tanzania
Rusumo Bridge is a steel structure spanning the Kagera River and connecting Tanzania with Rwanda. The crossing features a single traffic lane bordered by metal railings and serves as a key point on the B3 international road.
Italian engineers built the bridge between 1966 and 1972, establishing the first permanent crossing of the Kagera River in this region. This project marked a major milestone for the transport link between the two countries.
The bridge gained recognition during the 1994 events when over 200,000 people crossed it within 24 hours seeking refuge in Tanzania.
Vehicles crossing here must comply with a weight limit of 22.5 tons per axle to protect the structure. The narrow single-lane design requires careful driving, especially when meeting traffic from the opposite direction.
The bridge sits directly beside Rusumo Falls, where the Kagera River drops approximately 15 meters in a dramatic cascade. This location places it near the source region of the Nile River, one of Africa's most important waterways.
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