The City of Mbombela (CoM) has issued an urgent travel advisory following the collapse of the Ema19 vehicle bridge in Ward 19.

The structural failure, triggered by the relentless heavy rains currently battering the region, has rendered the crossing completely inaccessible to both vehicles and pedestrians.

CoM spokesperson, Joseph Ngala, confirmed that the road was closed immediately following the collapse to prevent fatalities or further damage.

“Motorists and pedestrians are advised to use alternative routes as the road will remain closed until the bridge is fixed. People should use alternative routes until further notice The CoM would like to apologize for the inconvenience,” he said.

Ngala also said while the collapse has caused significant disruption to local transport, plans for a permanent solution are already in motion.

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Ngala revealed that detailed engineering designs for the bridge’s reconstruction are already complete. To bypass lengthy administrative delays, the municipality will utilize emergency procurement processes to appoint a contractor.

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The Ema19 bridge serves as a vital artery for residents of KaNyamazane. With the structure now offline, residents are urged to plan for longer travel times and to exercise extreme caution when navigating near riverbanks or low-lying areas, as the heavy rains continue to pose a threat to local infrastructure.