M4 Tongaat River bridge could take more than 6 months to reopen

The Tongaat River bridge on the M4 may not be on the verge of collapse, but it will be months before it can be reopened.

Chief engineer for structural design at the KZN Department of Transport, Kyle Raman, told the Courier inspections were carried out at the bridge last Tuesday and it was found that one of the bridge’s piers – a support structure which carries the bridge deck – had been vertically displaced by about 600mm, hence the visible dip.

“Right now we are securing emergency funding for all damaged Durban structures, but high priority structures such as the Tongaat River bridge will be repaired first,” Raman said.

Once funding has been secured the repair work will start. It is envisioned the bridge pier will have to be replaced.

According to Raman, if funding is secured timeously and geotechnical surveys begin soon thereafter, the construction period could range from 3 to 6 months.

“We do understand road users’ frustrations, but I hope the public understands that this was a natural disaster and rebuilding will take time,” he said.

Highlighting his concern over the importance of the bridge, iLembe Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CEO Cobus Oelofse said the road served as not only an important freight route, but also as an important commuting route between the North and South Coast.

“The M4 offers the only scenic coastal route to the North Coast, a driving experience treasured by many motorcycle and classic car clubs, among others, for weekend runs to our eateries.”
Oelofse emphasised this significantly enhanced weekend morning trade at many local eateries and other small businesses.

“All these factors combine to highlight the M4 as a key economic driver,” he said, concluding that its repair must be prioritised.

As for residents south of the M4 Tongaat River bridge, commuting has become a daily struggle with the bridge closed as many rely on Ballito for shopping and work.

A trip from the nearest south of the bridge residential building to Ballito Junction now spans 16.3km as opposed to just 6km.

With the added traffic of motorists forced to use the N2, bottlenecks have been happening along Ballito Drive each morning, with traffic queues from the shopping centre traffic lights stretching to the N2 overpass.