President Tshisekedi Launches Construction of Kinshasa Ring Roads
On Saturday, June 22, 2024, President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi officially launched the construction of the South-West and South-East ring roads in Kinshasa from the Mitendi site.
These new peripheral roads are designed to create a rapid route around part of the city to alleviate congestion in the central arteries of Kinshasa. This project is part of the “infrastructure” component of the 5th amendment to the Chinese contract.
Prior to the commencement of construction, extensive studies were conducted by experts from the Congolese Agency for Major Works (ACGT), the Office of Roads and Drainage (OVD), the Roads Office (OR), and partners from the Sino-Congolese program.
According to the ACGT, the new road will span 63 kilometers, feature four lanes, and integrate into the loop surrounding Kinshasa.
The route will pass through various localities and neighborhoods, including Lutendele, Djokol, Ngombi, Ngudiabaka towards Kongo-Central, Mitendi, Kimwenza, and Ndjili Brasserie, covering the communes of Mont-Ngafula, Ndjili, and Kimbaseke.
The revision of the SICOMINES contract increased the investment for infrastructure from $3.2 billion to $7 billion, highlighting the scale and importance of this project.
A ring road, also known as a beltway or bypass, is a high-speed road designed to encircle or run alongside a built-up area, facilitating urban traffic flow by diverting vehicles away from congested city centers.
