About Us
The members of the Stone Arch Bridge Association have completed 200 new stone arch bridges in Tanzania and Uganda. Most recently, under the Enabel SAKiRP project, we have re-introduced the stone arch technology in the Kigoma region in Western Tanzania, where 110 bridges were completed.
SABA aims to continue promoting cost effective and climate resilient technology. We do this by bringing together interested professionals, actively looking for appropriate bridge construction programs, and supporting bridge owners in their own stone arch bridge construction programs.
>200
Bridges Completed
>2 km
Total span constructed
6000 t
Avoided carbon emissions
4
Countries in East Afica
About stone arch bridges
For millennia, the only available technology for durable bridge construction was the masonry arch. We find this type of bridge all over the world. However, the industrial revolution made other materials available: concrete and steel. These materials eventually completely replaced masonry arch bridges because their production became cheaper as industrialization advanced. At the same time, labor costs increased, which was a drawback for the labor-intensive masonry arches.
Today however, the masonry arches more relevant than ever! Both in economies with high industrial material costs and low labour costs, as well as economies with green policies, the stone arch is an appropriate choice. In one case because of the alignment with local economic realities and in the other because of its considerably longer life span and lower maintenance costs.
Stone Arch Bridge Association 