A temporary solution to offset the disruption caused by the closure of the M4 at Tongaat bridge has finally been announced after months of lobbying from the private sector and public at large.

The South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) confirmed last week that the tender appointment process will conclude by mid-September.

Once the appointment has been made, the contractor will be given eight weeks to complete temporary access, which is expected to open by mid-November.

This emerged at an iLembe Chamber of Commerce stakeholder meeting last Wednesday.

The chamber had for months fought for temporary solutions because of the impact the closure had on businesses.

“We thank the representatives of Sanral and the Transport Department (DoT) for attending the meeting and again highlight the importance of urgent repairs to these roads, which are of great economic value,” said iLembe Chamber of Commerce CEO, Cobus Oelofse.

The access plan entails constructing a temporary steel bridge which will be placed upriver of the current bridge, said La Mercy Residents and Ratepayers Association member, Paul Ramlal.

“As we understand from the department, the steel bridge will serve as a primary access point across the river until the main bridge has been repaired,” he said.

Strengthening of the columns and raising the height of the main bridge is expected to be done, with access currently estimated at the beginning of 2024.

“I want to again urge motorists not to cross the bridge until such time it is opened. Recently, workers have noticed exposed steel in the foundation which will lead to rust and could further damage the structure. It is not safe to cross,” said Ramlal.

Further south on the M4, commuters will soon be able to drive from Westbrook all the way to Durban.

This following the partial repair of multiple sinkholes at Boy’s Town and Seatides which had prevented access to the road since April.

KwaZulu-Natal DoT spokesperson, Kwanele Ncalane, confirmed that the Boy’s Town section will open on Friday.

Ward 58 councillor, Geoff Pullan, expects the entire road to be open once that happens.

“I have driven that road which has since been repaired. Road markings have been painted and concrete barriers erected in the areas that still need work, which will protect both the motorists and workers.

“Instead of a three-lane section at Seatides, it will be one lane each way for now,” said Pullan.

This offers huge relief to commuters who have previously had to take a protracted detour through Seatides and Desainagar.

Despite repeated queries, there has been no response from DoT or Sanral regarding timelines for the N2 bridge repair at Umhlali, Ward 22 Councillor Privi Makhan said to her knowledge contractors would be appointed in early September, but with no timeline announced for the repair.

The closed section of the bridge was shifted during the flooding and large-scale repairs will need to be undertaken.

Elsewhere, the R102 from Tongaat to KwaDukuza is now completely open after the bridge at Etete was repaired and the sinkhole at Fraser’s filled by local farmers.

A similar situation occurred on the P103 near Rain Farm, where the private sector has completed a temporary causeway to allow access.

There are still many smaller unrepaired washaways and sinkholes on that road however, and motorists are urged to drive with caution.

In KwaDukuza, R109-million has been allocated from the Municipal Disaster Recovery Grant for the repair and rehabilitation of smaller roads and storm water infrastructure.

A ceremony to announce the contractors was scheduled for Tuesday, but was cancelled by the municipality.

It is not yet clear which areas specifically will be targeted for repairs.

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