In the 1970s, China helped build the 1,800-kilometer Tazara railway linking Tanzania and Zambia. Now, the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation is preparing to build a new railway between the two countries.
First, it's conducting an assessment of the environmental impact and the financing of the project. The railway will be nearly 400 kilometers long and cost an estimated two billion US dollars. It could be operational as early as next year.
The single-track railway will run from the eastern Zambian town of Chipata to the central Tanzanian town of Serenje. The Chinese construction company said the railway will promote economic development in the cities and towns along its route.
"Our positioning of the East Railway is the extension of Tanzania-Zambia Railway to eastern Zambia and even Malawi. The construction of the Eastern Railway will be of great significance to form the South African railway network." Miao Yanliang, China Civil Engineering Construction Corp representative said.
