Despite promises crumbling N17 bridge still not repaired

Although it’s been almost a year since Sanral was made aware of the hazardous condition of the pedestrian bridge across the N17 in Van Dyk Park, the bridge is yet to be fixed.

The Boksburg Advertiser revisited the area this week and found that the deflected supporting columns and lopsided deck point remain a danger to motorists and pedestrians alike, amid the continuous heavy rainfalls.

The crumbling section on the north side of the bridge was reported to Sanral in April 2022, after a vehicle reportedly crashed into one of the concrete beams, damaging the supporting column and the now-lopsided deck point.

Responding to one of the questions posed by the Advertiser at the time, the roads agency admitted in June 2022 that it was aware of the urgency of the situation and promised that the repairs would commence at least within six to eight weeks after the remedial design had been completed and a specialist concrete sub-contractor appointed.
However, this broken section of the bridge, now only supported by some timber poles, is still not fixed.

Last year, the agency claimed that the bridge had been closed (barricaded off to prevent it from being used), but the Advertiser witnessed that the bridge remained in use.

Despite its current state, many pedestrians were seen using the bridge to cross the freeway this week while others were seen taking an immense risk crossing the busy freeway instead.

Sanral says repairs will happen soon

The agency cited the procurement of a contractor as the main reason for the delay in repairs.

According to Alan Agaienz, Sanral’s project manager in the Northern Region, the design of the repairs was completed late last year but there have been delays in the procurement of a contractor.
He said the tender documentation calling for tender bids from suitably experienced contractors will be issued within two weeks.
“It is anticipated that a tender will be awarded and the repair work will be able to commence within two months. After that, the work will take about three months to complete,” Agaienz explained.

Responding to a question about whether Sanral will take responsibility should the crumbling structure cause injuries or damage, the agency said the bridge has been temporarily stabilised.

“A risk assessment was done, which indicates that it is far riskier for someone to cross the highway using the roadway if the bridge were to be barricaded than it is for someone to make use of the structure as it is at the
moment,” said Agaienz.
He pointed out that as part of the repairs, the initial work will be for the contractor to provide stepped access to bypass the damaged ramp until it is repaired.
“Sanral is attending to the matter as soon as possible,” he said.

Also Read: Unrepaired N17 Bridge remains a serious hazard to road users