Senegambia bridge, Road bridge in North Bank Division and Lower River Division, The Gambia
The Senegambia Bridge is a 1.9-kilometre reinforced concrete road bridge across the Gambia River, with a 942-metre river crossing and a 12-metre-wide deck carrying a 7.5-metre single-carriageway road. Its 100-metre-wide central span lets boats pass. The bridge rests on piles driven through up to 20 metres of mud on the banks.
Planning for this crossing began in the 1950s, but actual construction did not start until 2015 and was completed in early 2019. The project ended decades of reliance on slower transportation methods in the region.
The bridge links The Gambia directly to Senegal, particularly the Casamance region, which previously had no direct road access. Local people and travelers use this crossing daily for trade and movement.
Crossing takes about ten minutes for any vehicle, replacing ferry waits that previously lasted several days. Expect border procedures on both sides and road conditions may vary with the season.
The bridge's official name combines Senegal and Gambia to mark friendship between the two countries, though it is also called the Trans-Gambia Bridge. Its 100-metre central span was left open so river boats could keep passing beneath. Local ferry operators and roadside vendors have complained of lost revenue since it opened.
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