Wedoany.com Report on Mar 2nd, Recently, on the outskirts of Mbour, Senegal, at the construction site of the Mbour-Kaolack Expressway project undertaken by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), workers were busy with cement-stabilized base paving and asphalt laying operations. The mainline of this project spans 99.2 kilometers, with overall progress currently exceeding 90%, entering the final sprint phase before opening to traffic.
The area along the project route is mostly composed of loose fine silt and sand, which is unsuitable for direct use as roadbed filler. The construction team transported laterite gravel from distant locations for replacement and reinforcement, and independently selected and organized the mining and transportation from material quarries to ensure material quality. To guarantee the supply of materials and equipment, the project team stocked up on critical spare parts in advance to prevent construction delays due to logistical issues.
For safety requirements, the expressway will be fully enclosed after opening. The project team conducted multiple surveys along the route and, based on local conditions, built 289 pedestrian and livestock crossing points near village roads and pastoral paths to facilitate the passage of people and animals. At the peak of construction, over 2,200 local employees were hired, and nearly 10,000 job opportunities were created throughout the project duration. Togolese translator Mathieu K. has been working on the project for over three years, assisting in communication between Chinese and local staff regarding construction requirements on-site. Modou Fall, an assistant in the project's Human Resources Department, stated that many local youths have grown into surveyors and machine operators under the guidance of Chinese mentors.
This expressway connects to Mali in the east and leads to The Gambia in the south, complementing the existing national highway. Bus driver Babou Marone noted that the current journey on the old national highway, which passes through villages and towns and is affected by speed bumps, takes over three hours one way. It is expected to be shortened to less than one and a half hours after the new expressway opens. The project, constructed by China Road and Bridge Corporation, is currently pushing forward with the remaining work at full strength to ensure it opens on schedule.
