M2 East bridge closed for major repairs in Joburg

The Johannesburg Roads Agency’s (JRA) is closing off the Kaserne Bridge on the M2 freeway in Johannesburg from Monday (27 August) until the end of 2019, due to major cracks, Roodepoort Record reports.

The closure is necessary in view of the outcome of the ongoing monitoring of the bridge after the visual conditions assessment indicated that the structural integrity of the concrete elements is severely reduced.

While undertaking the continuous monitoring exercise at the M2 Kaserne bridge, JRA engineers realised that parts of the support structure had moved, both vertically and horizontally, affecting the structural stability of the bridge.

The safety of the Kaserne bridge cannot be guaranteed for continuous use by motorists, thus the decision to close part of the bridge. JRA engineers will continue to monitor the M2 Selby bridge, which is still open to the public.

The bridge closure will start at 4am on 25 August. Approximately 200 metres of the Kaserne section of the bridge will be closed off to traffic. Traffic from the east-bound lanes will be diverted onto the west-bound lane to allow for traffic to flow in both directions.

The JRA’s Acting Managing Director, Goodwill Mbatha, said: “The safety of motorists and road users is of utmost importance and concern to the JRA, hence the urgent decision to close the road.” The M2 Selby and Kaserne bridge repairs and rehabilitation work will commence in the second week of October and will take approximately 12 months.

The JRA apologises to all road users for any inconvenience that may be caused as a result of this repair and rehabilitation work.