However, the occupying South African government was opposed to the project and considered it an act of high treason to build a bridge to independent, racially not segregated, Zambia.

The initiator of the planning, Klaus Dierks, was subsequently dismissed as Chief Bridge Engineer of the territory.

The bridge was built entirely on Zambian soil because Zambia was a least developed country at the time and thus qualified for a grant to build it, while Namibia did not have this status and would have had to repay a loan.

When coming from the town of Sesheke, the entire bridge is crossed before the border post with Namibia is reached.

In 2002 the contract for construction was awarded to Concor of South Africa and Hochtief of Germany, with the bridge completed on schedule in 2004.