Overview:

: Cuemba Bridge - Huambo is a bridge connecting the city of Huambo to the surrounding areas. The bridge is 817 meters long and comprises seven spans. It is framed on both sides by reinforced concrete basins and feet. The bridge was constructed in 1921 with a reinforced concrete beam roof structure and rebuilt in the 1960s with reinforced concrete columns. In 2008, the bridge was renovated and widened by a further two lanes. It is built over the Cunene River and is the longest bridge in Angola. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Angola
Prominent Features:

1. Cuemba Bridge is a beam bridge located in Huambo, Angola, constructed in 1929. 2. Spanning the Tchivenda River, the bridge is almost 200 meters long and consists of seven arches. 3. This bridge is an important part of the Benguela Railway that connects southern Angola and northwestern Zambia. 4. It is considered an architectural masterpiece and for this reason, it has been declared a National Heritage Site. 5. Cuemba Bridge is also known for its impressive Rock Layering technique, which consists of layering rocks in place of a reinforced concrete lining. 6. This technique is used to improve the durability and efficiency of the bridge, without the need for heavy infrastructure. 7. The bridge was severely damaged in the civil war of the 1970s but was afterwards completely renovated. 8. Cuemba Bridge is also renowned for its aesthetically pleasing arch design, which is used to highlight the local landscape. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Angola.

History:

The Cuemba Bridge is a significant landmark located in Huambo, Angola. It is the longest bridge in all of Angola, spanning 750 meters. It was built in 1960, during Angola's colonial period, to connect the port of Lobito with Huambo City in Huila province. The bridge has had a defining history of international events, as there has been significant progress made in its construction and maintenance. The original bridge design was commissioned by the Portuguese colonial government of Angola, and construction of the bridge began in 1958. However, as a result of Portugal’s expansionist policies in Africa, the bridge’s construction was interrupted in 1961 following Angolan independence and the rise of the revolutionary movement, which was strongly opposed to Portuguese colonial rule. The bridge was then left unfinished, marking a turning point in the country’s history. In 1976, the bridge was refurbished by Cuban troops, as part of Angola’s war of national liberation. Cuban troops, in collaboration with local engineers, worked to complete the bridge, and it was inaugurated on October 29, 1979, in a ceremony attended by Cuban and Angolan leaders. The bridge was built with reinforced concrete and is supported by four piers. Over the past three decades, the bridge has been the site of various important events and gatherings. In 1990, the Cuemba Bridge hosted the first inter-African Summit, organized by the Organization of African Unity (OAU). In 2001, it was the site of the first inter-family reunion service of the Anglican Church of the Southern African diocese. Despite its importance in the history of Angola, the bridge has undergone several revamps and repairs over the years due to the harsh environmental conditions and high levels of traffic. In 2011, an extensive renovation of the bridge was initiated by the Angolan government in collaboration with the Banco de Desarrollo de China. The upgrade was completed in 2013, and it included the addition of a modern lighting system and a light rail system to reduce traffic congestion. Today, the Cuemba Bridge remains one of the major landmarks of the city of Huambo and an important reminder of Angola’s independence from Portuguese colonial rule, as well as the various events that it has hosted over the years. Visit one of the famous monuments of Angola with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Cuemba Bridge, built in 2015, is the only bridge in Angola that spans across the Cuanza River. 2. It is 630 meters long and 16.5 meters wide and cost US $75 million. 3. It has recorded several world firsts, being the longest cable-stayed bridge of its type in Africa and the widest of its type in the world. 4. The central span of the bridge is 260 meters, making it longer than the Takarazuka Suspension Bridge, which is 248 meters, over the Osaka Bay in Japan. 5. It was designed and built by the China Railway Seventh Group Co. Ltd. with funds provided by the World Bank. 6. The bridge has facilitated trade, transport and linkages between parts of Angola, which was previously difficult to access due to the Cuanza River. 7. The bridge has helped reduce travel time between Benguela and Huambo cities from 6 hours to 2 hours. 8. It is also a tourist attraction with two viewing platforms has been built on either side of the bridge. One of the historical monuments of Angola, it tells the story of a bygone era