President Kim Hyung of Daewoo Engineering and Construction Co. (Photos: Daewoo E&C)

Daewoo E&C has officially dedicated the Kazungula Bridge that crosses the Zambezi River and borders Botswana and Zambia in Africa.

The construction of Kazungula Bridge is the biggest construction project in southern Africa. The bridge measures 923 meters in length and 18.5 meters in width.

The construction of the bridge, connecting four countries in southern Africa, is expected to dramatically improve traffic, logistics and infrastructure in the African area.

Daewoo E&C received a document of acceptance from the governments of Botswana and Zambia on Sept. 5. It was in 2014 that Daewoo E&C was awarded an overseas order concerning the construction of an extradosed bridge, the first such one.

Visually, extradosed bridges typically have the appearance of a cable-stayed bridge with very short towers (pylons), with cable stays of shallow angle that may not extend along the full length of the deck, and frequently with a more substantial deck superstructure.

To Korean contractors, Botswana and Zambia are not fertile markets. No more Korean contractors have done there since Daewoo E&C implemented five projects in 1980. It is noteworthy that the dedication of the latest mega project has been done in the stark African market.

A Daewoo E&C official said since the Kazungula Bridge is a bridge for railway and road, it is more important than anything else to endure the pressure of vibrations and ensure safety.

The bridge has been built with the expertise on an extradosed bridge Daewoo E&C has accumulated, the official added.

Kazungula Bridge, built with six pylons, boasts breathtaking form and features. Its views complementing with the wonderful natural landscape of the surrounding area, is expected to become a new landmark in the area.

The bridge is expected to serve as a logistics artery connecting not only Botswana and Zambia but also Zimbabwe and Namibia.

A view of the Kazungula Bridge, dedicated by Daewoo E&C.

Daewoo E&C Likely to be Biggest Apartment Builder in Private Sector in 2020

Daewoo E&C is poised to rank first among contractors by supplying more than 35,000 apartment units this year. Despite the outside and inside start market situation, Daewoo E&C is known to come into its own based on its stand-alone competitive edge in the housing construction sector.

Daewoo E&C has sold 25,934 apartment units in the first nine months of this year.

By region, the contractor supplied 17,961 apartment units in the Seoul metropolitan area, including the capital. They included “Hwaseo Station Prugio Briciel” Apartment Complex units and “Geomam Station Royal Park City Prugio” units.

In provincial areas, Daewoo E&C distributed large-sized apartment complexes such as “Prugio Lakeside” in Cheonan and “Purgio High-end” in Gimhae.

Daewoo E&C is to distribute apartment complexes with potential high lottery bids such as three complexes in the “Gwacheon Knowledge and Information Town” and “Gamil Prugio” complex in 2020 Q4.

Even though exact calculations are not available in consideration of licenses and outside uncertainties, caused by the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, Daewoo E&C is sure to become the biggest apartment builder this year, business sources said.