![Beit bridge2](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5c/Beit_bridge2.jpg)
The Alfred Beit Road Bridge is a road bridge crossing the
Limpopo River between
Musina in
South Africa and
Beitbridge
Beitbridge is a border town in the province of Matabeleland South, Zimbabwe. The name also refers to the border post and bridge spanning the Limpopo River, which forms the political border between South Africa and Zimbabwe. The border on the S ...
in
Zimbabwe.
History
The original Alfred Beit Bridge, which now only carries rail traffic, was completed in 1929 by
Dorman Long
Dorman Long & Co was a UK steel producer, later diversifying into bridge building. It was once listed on the London Stock Exchange.
History
The company was founded by Arthur Dorman and Albert de Lande Long when they acquired ''West Marsh ...
. Named after
Alfred Beit
Alfred Beit (15 February 1853 – 16 July 1906) was a Anglo-German gold and diamond magnate in South Africa, and a major donor and profiteer of infrastructure development on the African continent. He also donated much money to university edu ...
, the gold and diamond magnate, it cost $600,000 and was opened by the
Earl of Athlone
The title of Earl of Athlone has been created three times.
History
It was created first in the Peerage of Ireland in 1692 by William III of England, King William III for General Godard van Reede, 1st Earl of Athlone, Baron van Reede, Lord of ...
on 31 August 1929.
The new road bridge, constructed in 1995 parallel to the old bridge, accommodates far heavier traffic than the old bridge could take. It was built by
Murray & Roberts on behalf of
New Limpopo Bridge Ltd
New Limpopo Bridge (Pvt) Ltd., is a private company, incorporated and registered in Zimbabwe, and is a subsidiary of NLPI Ltd, an investment holding company whose main investment focus is infrastructure projects in Africa. Under a build–operat ...
who now operate the bridge.
NLPI Overview
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References
{{reflist
Bridges in South Africa
Bridges in Zimbabwe
Bridges completed in 1995
Build–operate–transfer
South Africa–Zimbabwe border crossings
Bridges completed in 1929
Toll bridges
International bridges
Buildings and structures in Matabeleland South Province
1929 establishments in the British Empire