Kinshasa is set to gain a significant new eight-lane roadway designed to enhance traffic capacity across a vital section of the Congolese capital. President Félix Tshisekedi officially launched the construction of the Étienne Tshisekedi Boulevard on Tuesday. This ambitious 2.02-kilometer infrastructure project has been entrusted to the distinguished Chinese firm, China Railway 20th Bureau Group. The comprehensive undertaking, scheduled for completion within twelve months, also encompasses a 750-meter access ramp, extensive drainage systems, several bridges and culverts, and a modern lighting installation.
During a ceremony in Kinshasa this Tuesday, President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo laid the inaugural stone for the forthcoming Étienne Tshisekedi Boulevard, marking the official commencement of construction. Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka and the capital’s Governor, Daniel Bumba, were among the dignitaries present. The development plan outlines a primary thoroughfare spanning 2,020 meters, featuring eight traffic lanes—four in each direction. A complementary 750-meter, two-lane access ramp will further augment the infrastructure. Additionally, the initiative includes the implementation of robust drainage networks, various bridges, culverts, and state-of-the-art lighting equipment. The project is contractually mandated for a twelve-month delivery period.
CR20 embarks on its inaugural public works venture in DRC
The construction responsibilities have been assigned to China Railway 20th Bureau Group (CR20), a Chinese enterprise renowned for its expertise in infrastructure development. Zhang Guoxu, General Manager of China Railway 20th Bureau Group Angola International Company, confirmed that this marks CR20’s first public works contract within the Democratic Republic of Congo. He affirmed the company’s commitment to deploying all necessary resources to adhere to the project’s timeline and technical specifications. Guoxu also highlighted the stringent requirements for structural quality and diligent management of the construction’s environmental footprint. Governor Daniel Bumba, for his part, stressed the critical importance of observing all technical guidelines and contractual deadlines. The Governor expressed his anticipation that the new infrastructure would swiftly contribute to alleviating traffic conditions in the affected urban area.
Prior to the groundbreaking ceremony, President Tshisekedi received an in-depth presentation detailing the boulevard’s proposed route, planned layout, and key structural elements. Visual renderings of the future roadway were also showcased. The declared objective is to significantly boost road capacity along this corridor and streamline commuter movements within a capital city frequently plagued by severe traffic congestion. The Étienne Tshisekedi Boulevard is therefore poised to enhance the existing road network by introducing a wider and more comprehensively equipped infrastructure. Its ultimate effectiveness, however, will hinge on the superior quality of its execution, strict adherence to the announced timeframe, and its seamless integration with Kinshasa’s other major traffic arteries. Following the projected twelve months of construction, this new thoroughfare is expected to become an integral part of the capital’s road system, aiming to relieve pressure on several currently overburdened routes.
