115 years ago, in 1905, British engineers constructed the iconic Victoria Falls Bridge, linking Zambia and Zimbabwe. This remarkable feat was part of Cecil John Rhodes’ ambitious project to connect Africa from Cape Town to Cairo via rail.
What’s even more impressive is that the bridge was prefabricated in England, shipped to Mozambique, and transported to its current location from the Port of Beira by rail for assembly. The assembly process took only 14 months and fit together with precision, according to specifications. All of this was achieved without the aid of computers, which hadn’t been invented yet!
The British engineers had carefully assessed the Victoria Falls gorge, taking precise measurements and designing the bridge to suit the geology of the area. Their expertise and skill have stood the test of time, as the bridge remains fully operational to this day, carrying both trucks and cargo trains.
The Victoria Falls Bridge today.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate