M4 bridge repair still on schedule for December

While the Department of Transport remains mum on progress regarding the repair of the M4 Tongaat River bridge, the iLembe Chamber of Commerce reports the bridge is anticipated to be opened to traffic by December 19 as planned.

Repairs of the bridge, damaged by floods in April last year, are being undertaken by Raubex Group subsidiary company, Cape Town-based Empa Structures, who were appointed after several failed tender attempts.

The contract value is R54 million. Repair crews have been on site since July.

The Courier’s requests to the Department of Transport for an official update on progress have not been responded to, but iLembe Chamber of Commerce CEO Cobus Oelofse reports good progress despite work being “a few days behind”.

Oelofse said four of the 1 050mm oscillator bored piles have been installed and only some minor remedial work is being carried out on one of these.

“Earthworks and preparation of the founding surface (jacking beam soffit) for the reinforced concrete ring beams is in progress, as are repairs to spalling under the bridge,” he said.

Non-critical work includes the replacement of guardrails, bridge handrails, asphalting, bridge joints and road markings, all of which is to start in the coming weeks.

“Overall, the works are a few days behind schedule due to remedial work required on one of the piles,” he said, while highlighting that it was possible to make up for lost time barring any unforeseen external delays.

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