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The Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Engineers Battalion has been tasked by the Roads Authority to reinstall the Mpatamanga bailey bridge over the Shire River, connecting Mwanza and Neno Districts to Blantyre. The bridge was destroyed by Cyclone Idai in 2019, which limited access to essential services.

The Chileka-Mpatamanga Road is the primary route to the 350 MW Mpatamanga hydropower project site. The project includes grading a 70km road from Tedzani Power Station to transport bridge materials and assembling a 70m bridge, with completion expected by the end of May 2026. Funding for the project has been secured, and construction is progressing.