Unrepaired N17 Bridge remains a serious hazard to road users

It’s been six months since SANRAL was made aware of the hazard posed by the damaged pedestrian’s overpass bridge across the N17 in Van Dyk Park, but nothing has happened.

This publication also noticed that some of the steel bridge’s barriers and rails had been removed.
The agency said an unidentified vehicle crashed into one of the bridge’s supporting columns, thus causing the ramp to settle and crack. This has left the section of the bridge lopsided.

Following calls to repair the bridge, the Advertiser reached out to SANRAL for comment and on June 15 the agency responded saying processes to get a contractor was underway. It was also said that repair work was estimated to start within at least six to eight weeks.
Alan Agaienz, SANRAL’s project manager in the northern region, also told this publication that the bridge had been cordoned off by their routine road maintenance contractor to prevent access until it can be repaired.

A concerned resident recently expressed outrage over the delay to repair the infrastructure.

The Advertiser revisited the site on October 11 and found that nothing had been done.
The bridge was not barricaded and some pedestrians were seen using it, while others were seen risking being knocked down by vehicles as they jaywalked across the busy multiple-lane freeway.

The bridge in question was built in 1983 and its lifespan is expected to be at least 50 years as long as preventative and routine maintenance is carried out as and when required.
The Advertiser has again this week approached the agency for comment on the work to prevent the potential disaster.

Also Read: Van Dyk Park bridge now a no-go zone for pedestrians – SANRAL