The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has signed a grant agreement with the Government of Djibouti to support the construction of a new bridge on the Palmeraie Road
Currently, the city is divided by the Ambouli River which separates around 70% of the population from public facilities such as schools and rivers. Two roads link the city but, of these, the Italian Bridge is currently closed to heavy vehicles due to damage while the Palmeraie road has no bridge and is covered by the river when the water rises. This is occurrence is more common in the case of the latter due to the increasing effects of climate change.
These problems present a significant challenge to the local population and represent a barrier to wider growth as the country’s economy is heavily dependent on the logistics industry.
Encouraging Djibouti's economy
It is with this understanding, therefore, that JICA has committed to supporting the construction of a new bridge on the Palmeraie road. In doing so, and improving the road itself, the organisation hopes the expand traffic capacity and ensure a stable means of transportation in the event of flooding.
It is expected that, when complete, this project will contribute to the strengthening of urban transport functions and facilitating logistics in the country and region.
The planned structure will be 113.5 m long with a width of 26.8 m. River improvements will be conducted (such as river channel excavation and revetment works), the road will be widened to 455 m from the east intersection to the end of the bridge attachment road, and intersection improvements will also be pursued. JICA has indicated that it will take 57 months to fully implement the project, accounting for design work and the bidding period.
