South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho will officially unveil the completed Senqu Bridge, next week. It will mark a major milestone in Phase-II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. In a significant boost for regional integration and water security, the bridge will be declared ready for use by motorists on April 22, 2026 in Mokhotlong District, Lesotho.
Senqu Bridge is constructed at a cost of approximately R2.4 billion. It is the largest of three major bridges, that are being developed as part of Phase-II, alongside the Mabunyane and Khubelu bridges. These crossings are designed to ensure the continued access across the Polihali Reservoir, as once water levels rise following the dam’s completion.
Measuring about 825 metres in length and standing roughly 90 metres high, the Senqu Bridge will provide a vital transport link across the reservoir. It will maintain the connectivity to the national road network via the A1 route, which links Mokhotlong to Maseru.
According to the Department of Water and Sanitation, the bridge is a “legacy infrastructure asset” that will ensure uninterrupted access to key areas such as Mokhotlong and surrounding communities. Even after existing routes are submerged by the Polihali Dam.
The Senqu Bridge forms part of the broader LHWP, which is a multi-phased, treaty-based partnership between South Africa and Lesotho. It was established on 24 October 1986 to address water security, energy generation and socio-economic development.
South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho will next week officially unveil the completed Senqu Bridge, marking a major milestone in Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. https://t.co/9uENelxj4L#GovZAUpdates pic.twitter.com/SZFJYGLesA
— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) April 18, 2026
The project harnesses the Orange–Senqu River system through a network of dams and transfer tunnels, supplying water to South Africa’s Integrated Vaal River System, which supports the economic hub of Gauteng. At the same time, Lesotho benefits through hydropower generation, infrastructure development and long-term economic opportunities.
Phase-II of the project is currently under construction and includes the Polihali Dam, a concrete-faced rockfill structure which is approximately 165 metres high, as well as a 38-kilometre transfer tunnel that will connect the Polihali and Katse reservoirs.
Once completed, this phase will increase water supply capacity from 780 million cubic metres per annum to 1,270 million cubic metres per annum. It is significantly strengthening long-term water security for South Africa.
Ahead of the official launch, Water and Sanitation Minister – Pemmy Majodina and Lesotho’s Minister of Natural Resources – Mohlomi Moleko will unveil the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) on April 20, 2026 at the Polihali construction site.
The TBM is a critical piece of equipment that will be used to drill the 38-kilometre tunnel which will connect the Polihali and Katse reservoirs, a central feature of Phase-II that aims at increasing water transfer capacity to South Africa.