China Roads and Bridges (CRBC) are set to start construction work on the $725m Maputo-Catembe Bridge Project in the Maputo province of Mozambique in September 2012.

The bridge will connect two sides of Maputo, as well as provide better connectivity for the Catembe population.

As well as the 3km-long, 60m-high bridge, CRBC will also build Catembe-Ponta do Ouro and Bela Vista-Boane, two adjacent roads, which will cover 209km.

CRBC will also undertake construction work in the Malanga neighbourhood and in parts of the Luís Cabral neighbourhood as a part of the project, according to Macauhub.

The China Export Import Bank has provided a loan of $681.6 for the bridge project at an interest rate of 4%, which can be repaid in 20 years time with a five year grace period, while the rest of financing for the project was contributed by the state budget.

The bridge and adjacent roads will consist of four toll plazas to collect fees in an effort to repay the loan.

Construction is expected to take around three years time.

Mozambique has also awarded CRBC a contract to construct a ring road around Maputo, the Mozambican capital.