{"id":1912,"date":"2026-05-08T11:52:58","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T11:52:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maxx.co.za\/test\/raubex\/?post_type=project&p=1912"},"modified":"2026-05-11T13:08:16","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T13:08:16","slug":"senqu-bridge-project","status":"publish","type":"project","link":"https:\/\/maxx.co.za\/test\/raubex\/project\/senqu-bridge-project\/","title":{"rendered":"Senqu Bridge Project at Mokhotlong, Kingdom of Lesotho"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Company<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Raubex Construction<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mokhotlong, Kingdom of Lesotho<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Client<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Lesotho Highlands
Development Authority \/
LHWP Phase II<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Senqu Bridge Project forms a critical component of Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) and represents one of the most significant civil engineering undertakings currently under construction in Southern Africa.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Located in Mokhotlong, Kingdom of Lesotho, the bridge has been developed to ensure long-term connectivity across the Senqu River and the future Polihali Reservoir, supporting both the construction activities and the permanent infrastructure requirements of LHWP Phase II.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raubex Construction is proud to be one of the primary South African partners involved in the delivery of this landmark project, contributing to infrastructure that supports regional integration, water security and sustainable socio-economic development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Project Overview and Engineering Scope<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Constructed at an approximate cost of R2.4 billion, the Senqu Bridge is the largest of three major bridges being delivered under LHWP Phase II, alongside the Mabunyane and Khubelu bridges. With a total length of approximately 825 metres and a height of 90 metres above the Senqu River, the bridge is among the most prominent infrastructure structures in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Senqu Bridge is the first extradosed bridge in Lesotho, incorporating a hybrid design that combines elements of cable-stayed and prestressed girder bridge technology. This design solution was selected to meet the project\u2019s structural demands while accommodating the challenging mountainous terrain.<\/p>\n

Construction was undertaken using an incremental launching method, a technique that enhanced safety performance and significantly reduced environmental disruption within the sensitive river valley.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Read more<\/span>\n Close<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Sustaining Long-Term Connectivity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The bridge plays a pivotal functional role within the LHWP infrastructure network. Following the completion of the Polihali Dam, rising water levels will submerge several existing river crossings. The Senqu Bridge has been specifically designed to ensure uninterrupted access along the A1 route, maintaining reliable connectivity between Mokhotlong, Maseru and surrounding communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This long-term access is essential not only for the operational requirements of the LHWP, but also for the continued mobility of local communities and access to essential services.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Read more<\/span>\n Close<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Socio-Economic Contribution<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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In addition to its technical complexity, the Senqu Bridge Project has delivered significant socio-economic benefits. Construction activities generated approximately 250 000 person-days of employment, with a peak workforce of around 1 200 workers, the majority drawn from local Basotho communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Procurement strategies emphasised inclusive participation, with meaningful involvement of local suppliers and contractors across both Lesotho and South Africa, including black-owned enterprises. This approach forms part of the broader LHWP objective to ensure that infrastructure investment delivers tangible local and regional economic benefits.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Read more<\/span>\n Close<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Part of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The Senqu Bridge forms part of the broader Lesotho Highlands Water Project, a multi-phased, treaty-based partnership between South Africa and Lesotho established in 1986. The project is designed to address long-term water security, energy generation and socio-economic development through the harnessing of the Orange\u2013Senqu River system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Phase II includes the construction of the Polihali Dam, a 165-metre-high concrete-faced rockfill dam, as well as a 38-kilometre transfer tunnel linking the Polihali and Katse reservoirs. Once completed, Phase II will increase water transfer capacity to South Africa from 780 million cubic metres to approximately 1 270 million cubic metres per annum, strengthening water security for the Gauteng region while delivering enduring infrastructure benefits to Lesotho.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Read more<\/span>\n Close<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Delivering a Legacy Asset<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The Senqu Bridge Project stands as a legacy infrastructure asset, engineered to support the long-term objectives of one of Africa\u2019s most ambitious cross-border infrastructure programmes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n