Celebration! 40th Anniversary of the Matadi Bridge: Inherited Japanese Technology and Love for Bridges
The Matadi Bridge was built with the cooperation of Japan and opened to traffic in 1983. The bridge, which has become a symbol of friendship between the DRC and Japan, has been protected by the Congolese people even when Japanese support ceased due to political instability in the DRC, and will celebrate its 40th anniversary in May 2023. The skills and beliefs of “bridge protection” passed down from Japan are being passed on to the next generation of bridge builders in the country.
The Matadi Bridge was built using the latest Japanese technology for suspension bridge construction. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (hereafter referred to as the Congo) is located in the central part of the African continent. The Matadi Bridge, the largest suspension bridge in Africa, is the only bridge that spans the middle and lower reaches of the Congo River, which boasts the world’s second largest basin area and flow rate. Its beautifully maintained appearance makes it hard to believe that it was built 40 years ago. Behind this is the strong bond that has been nurtured between the Congolese people and Japan.
The Matadi Bridge was planned as a key land transportation link for the mineral-rich Congolese people. Construction of the 722-meter-long bridge, which began in 1979 and was completed in 1983 with Japanese yen loans, is located on the main road connecting the Atlantic Ocean port and the capital city of Kinshasa. In the late 1970s, when the Matadi Bridge was planned, research and development was underway in Japan for the construction of the Seto Bridge, and the adoption of the latest technology at the time facilitated the design and construction.
A total of 74 Japanese specialists were dispatched to complete the construction, working in cooperation with the local agency, the Organization of Banana and Kinshasa Transportation Authority (hereinafter referred to as OEBK). One of them, Masaaki Tatsumi, a specialist in suspension bridges (currently a technical advisor to Oriental Consultants Global, Inc.
The project was completed 14 months ahead of schedule, thanks to the efficient use of large equipment, the teamwork of many Japanese specialists with Congolese technicians, and the excellent work of the Congolese construction workers.
The national opening ceremony was a great success, and after the ceremony, the bridge was so crowded with Congolese people who were so happy to see the bridge open that it shook. The Matadi Bridge has become a major national project for the Congolese people and a symbol of friendship between the Congolese people and Japan.
Congolese who kept their “love for bridges” even during turbulent times After the completion of the Matadi Bridge, the maintenance and management of the bridge was entrusted to the hands of the OEBK, and Japanese experts visited the bridge for short-term guidance during regular inspections every two to three years, but the Kinshasa riots in 1991 led to a long period of political instability and Japan was forced to suspend its support. Japan was forced to suspend its support. All that was left were manuals for maintenance and inspections. Despite various difficulties, including a lack of experience and funds, and a loss of human resources due to the conflict, Congolese engineers such as Andre Madiata Ndele Buba and Kalombo Mukeba Joseph, who had been involved in the project since its construction, became “bridge guardians” and continued to maintain and manage the bridge.
In 2012, Japanese assistance resumed and the “Matadi Bridge Maintenance and Management Capacity Improvement Project,” a JICA technical cooperation project, was launched. Mr. Tatsumi visited the site for the first time in a long time as the leader of the cable opening survey conducted as part of this project, and was surprised to see that the bridge looked almost the same as when it was completed, without reminding him of the 29 years that had passed.
I hope that by touching bridges every day, taking care of them, and becoming fond of them, people will maintain the will to inspect them and act accordingly. I was deeply moved to see that the “love of bridges” that we Japanese wanted to convey along with our technology was firmly rooted in the bridge industry.
Madiata and Kalombo loved the Matadi Bridge and persevered in maintaining it even during the period of civil unrest in the Congo. The OEBK has been collecting tolls since 1987 in order to secure a budget for the maintenance of the bridge, and it was this reserve that covered the cost of the repainting. The OEBK has been collecting tolls since 1987 in order to secure a budget for bridge maintenance.
Although the Matadi Bridge had been beautifully managed, some issues emerged during the cable opening survey, including the discovery of rust inside the cables. Therefore, it was decided to formulate a maintenance management plan incorporating the latest methods.
We installed a cable air drying system to prevent rusting. This system was first put to practical use on the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and is now a global standard,” says Tatsumi. Dehumidified air is blown into the cables that support the bridge, preventing cable corrosion and improving durability.
Based on the results of the study, the construction work implemented with JICA’s grant aid was completed in 2017, and the maintenance and management manual was updated. At the party at the completion ceremony, Mr. Madiata said, “The challenge is how to train successors in the future. JICA continues to support the development of the next generation of engineers by dispatching Japanese experts to the site and regularly inviting Congolese engineers to Japan for training.
The bond between Japan and the Congolese people, passed on from veteran to younger generations. In January 2023, Mr. Madhiata and Mr. Kalombo, both veterans, finally retired. The role of bridge guard was handed over to younger engineers. One of them is Mr. Belkadi Bahangul. He became a member of OEBK in 2015 during the installation of the cable airflow drying system and now serves as the system supervisor as the head of the Technical Section.
As a legend, I have great respect for Mr. Madiata and Mr. Calombo, who have carefully protected the bridge over the years. It is thanks to them that the Matadi Bridge exists today. I would like to contribute to the maintenance of the bridge as a successor,” said Mr. Belkadi.
© Source JICA
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