Zwelethemba bridge reopens after Three months
The Zwelethemba bridge is now open again after being closed for nearly three months.
This follows after the bridge was restored because it partially collapsed during heavy rains in July.
Standard reported on 26 August that the bridge would remain closed until engineers and all stakeholders were invited to a meeting in the Zwelethemba Community Hall, where a detailed presentation was to be made.
According to the municipality a successful engagement took place on Tuesday 7 September and it was decided that the road will be reopened Wednesday, 8 September.
Based on a report by WSP Group Africa, who was appointed to perform the structural inspection assessment on the bridge over the Hex River, as well as a road bridge erosion protection study, compiled by ASP Technology, construction of erosion protection works at the embankment will proceed.
The anticipated completion of Phase 1 of the erosion protection is December of this year. The next phases are subject to the availability of funding, the municipality says.
“We can also confirm that the second entrance to Zwelethemba via the R60 will remain in use and further engagements with Transnet will ensure functional safety and useability,” adds the municipality.
According to Sam Mkhiwane, ward councillor in the area, they accept the report given by the engineers on the assessment of the bridge.
“The main thing we would like as the community of Zwelethemba is for the municipality to keep the second entrance at the Robertson road as well as maintain the road.”
According to Mkhiwane the Zwelethemba community wants the BVM to put up either traffic lights or stop signs on the R60. “The municipality must maintain their bridges to ensure or prevent collapsing of bridges,” says Mkhiwane.