Rwanda Standard Gauge Railway

The Rwanda Standard Gauge Railway is a railway system, under development, linking the country to the neighboring countries of Tanzania and Uganda. The system is expected to link, in the future, to Rwanda's two other neighbors, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Through Uganda, the SGR will allow, faster access to the Kenyan port of Mombasa, Rwanda's primary access to the oceans. With no previously existing railway network, Rwanda is developing its railway system from scratch.[1]

Rwanda Standard Gauge Railway
Overview
TypeHeavy rail
StatusIn development
TerminiRusumo, Kagitumba, Kigali
Bugesera Airport, Gisenyi, Nemba
Operation
Opened2022 (Expected)
Operator(s)Rwanda Transport Development Agency
Technical
Line length500 km (310 mi)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge

Location

The railway system would consist of several major sections:

Rusumo–Kigali Section

This section, measuring 150 kilometres (93 mi), is part of the Isaka–Kigali Standard Gauge Railway, a joint railway between the governments of Rwanda and Tanzania.[2] Construction is scheduled to begin in October 2018, and the Rusumo–Kigali section is budgeted to cost US$847 million.[3]

Kigali–Rubavu Section

When the SGR reaches Kigali, the governments of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are expected to work out the modalities for the extension of this railway system to DRCongo territory. The section from Kigali to Rubavu is about 150 kilometres (93 mi).[4][5] In June 2019, the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo indicated its willingness to participate in a feasibility study for the SGR to extend to Rubavu and Goma.[6]

Kigali–Bugesera Airport–Nemba Section

This section, measuring about 60 kilometres (37 mi), stretching from Masaka, in Kigali, through Bugesera International Airport to Nemba, at the international border with Burundi, is yet to be awarded to a contractor, as of September 2018.[7] The government of Rwanda has committed to extending the SGR to Bugesera International Airport, at a budgeted cost of US$85 million.[8]

Kagitumba–Kigali Section

When the Uganda Standard Gauge Railway is built, the Ugandan SGR is planned to connect to the Rwanda SGR at Mirama Hills/Kagitumba. From there, the line would pass through Nyagatare, Gatsibo, Gicumbi, Rwamagana, Gasabo and terminate at Masaka for cargo and Ndera for passengers.[8] This section measures approximately 170 kilometres (106 mi).[9]

Overview

This 1435 mm (4 ft ​8 1⁄2 in) railway line is intended to ease the transfer of goods between the ports of Dar es Salaam and Mombasa, to Kigali in Rwanda and subsequently to Bujumbura in Burundi, and to Goma, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[1] In conformity with its neighbors Uganda and Tanzania, Rwanda will use electricity to power its locomotives. This will allow the passenger locomotive speeds to be increased to 160 kilometres (99 mi) per hour and cargo locomotives to 120 kilometres (75 mi) per hour.[10] In October 2018, The EastAfrican newspaper reported that construction would begin in December 2018.[11]

See also

References
  1. Mugabo, Peter (15 January 2018). "Rwanda Bypasses Uganda For Its Own Standard Gauge Railway Line". Kigali: NewsofRwanda.com. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  2. Kang'ereha, Dorcas (15 January 2018). "Tanzania and Rwanda plan to construct a Standard Gauge Railway". Nairobi: Construction Review Online. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  3. Kabona, Esiara (29 January 2018). "Isaka-Kigali SGR works to start in October". The EastAfrican. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  4. Globefeed.com (15 December 2018). "Distance between Kigali, Nyarugeng, Umujyi Wa Kigali, RWA and Rubavu, Iburengerazuba, RWA". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  5. Ntirenganya, Emmanuel (12 December 2018). "Proposed Isaka-Kigali railway could be extended to Rubavu". New Times (Rwanda). Kigali. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  6. Emmanuel Onyango (26 June 2019). "Rwanda-Tanzania SGR To Go To Eastern DRC". The EastAfrican. Nairobi. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  7. Globefeed.com (19 September 2018). "Distance between Masaka, Kigali, Rwanda and Nemba Primary School, Rwanda". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  8. Kabona, Esiara (14 January 2018). "Rwanda's SGR cargo, passenger terminals confirmed". The EastAfrican. Nairobi. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  9. Globefeed.com (19 September 2018). "Distance between Kagitumba, Rwanda and Masaka, Kigali, Rwanda". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  10. Briginshaw, David (12 March 2018). "Tanzania-Rwanda standard-gauge line to be electrified". New York City: Railjournal.com. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  11. Onyango, Emmanuel (29 October 2018). "Building of Isaka-Kigali railway to start in December". The EastAfrican. Nairobi. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
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