Decrepit east bridge a safety hazard
The R223 linking Mamelodi and Pretoria east has been rated in poor condition, with over 1 000 vehicles using it daily — including heavy freight. Authorities now say it qualifies for a surfaced upgrade, following rising public pressure and safety fears.
A dangerously deteriorating bridge on the R223 provincial road in Mooiplaas near Hazeldean in the east of Pretoria is putting lives at risk and disrupting livelihoods, as years of neglect take its toll.
The bridge frequently floods, lacks safety railings, has deep cracks with severe structural damage, making it a safety hazard.
Despite the route’s importance as a vital economic corridor for taxis, freight, and workers, the Gauteng government continues to ignore growing demands for urgent intervention, according to Ward 101 councillor Malcolm de Klerk.
De Klerk and DA MPL and spokesperson for Roads and Transport Nicole van Dyk recently conducted an oversight visit, calling the bridge “a disaster waiting to happen”.
Despite the poor condition of R223, it is still heavily relied on by freight vehicles, scholar transport, and tourists visiting economic hubs like the Hazeldean Brewery Co, Hazeldean Farm Parkrun, local trails, and several wedding venues.
It is used by motorists who also try to avoid traffic on Solomon Mahlangu Drive, however, it leads to burst tyres and damage to vehicle suspensions.
The DA has since vowed to escalate the issue through committee structures and table motions if necessary.
De Klerk has raised serious concerns over the dire state of R223, which connects Pretoria east and Mamelodi, warning that its continued deterioration poses a grave threat to safety, local jobs and tourism.
“A strong local economy and better job opportunities depend on a reliable road network,” he said.
“But the current state of this road, especially during rainy weather when the bridge floods and the road becomes muddy, severely disrupts commuters trying to get to work in the eastern areas.”
Despite its importance as a key economic artery supporting daily commuting, tourism, and agricultural activity, De Klerk said the Gauteng government continues to ignore repeated calls for urgent repairs and infrastructure upgrades.
He stressed that the poor road conditions are already damaging the local economy.
“Tourists who visit one of the world’s best craft beer breweries, Hazeldean Co Brewery, have to travel this road. But with its current condition, do you think they’d recommend it to others? They wouldn’t and that’s a blow to local tourism,” he said.
De Klerk described the low-level bridge along the route as a “death trap waiting to happen”.
“The bridge is marred by large, visible cracks, structural sagging, and has no safety barriers or handrails. It only takes one wrong step or an accident during peak hours, especially at night or in bad weather, for lives to be lost. This is not how a caring government operates,” he warned.
He said a cracked bridge without safety railings significantly increases the risk of vehicles veering off the edge, especially when the road is wet or visibility is poor.
“Pedestrians and cyclists also face danger, as there’s no protective infrastructure to prevent falls into the water below.”
De Klerk said the matter has been escalated to the Gauteng provincial government and the MEC for Roads and Transport, but no action has been taken.
“It seems like the custodians of this road have turned a deaf ear, but we will continue to fight for our residents, and we are prepared to explore legal avenues if the government fails to respond,” he added.
He said they will escalate this matter in committees, question the provincial plan, and table motions if needed.
“We demand urgent intervention before lives are lost.”
De Klerk said most provincial roads in the east of Pretoria have deteriorated to a very terrible state.
The MEC spokesperson Lesiba Mpya confirmed the department is aware of the situation and committed to immediate action.
“The department is aware of the impact the road’s condition has on commuters, especially delays and damage to vehicles. A rapid structural assessment will be conducted to determine the extent of damage to the bridge,” said Mpya.
The department will be conducting an emergency rapid structural assessment to determine the extent of the damage and a report for remedial recommendations.
He further confirmed that a service provider is being procured to supply and erect guardrails as part of short-term safety measures. However, no structural assessment has been done within the past years, and no meeting has yet been held with local stakeholders, including taxi associations or affected businesses.
Mpya said long-term decisions, including a possible resurfacing or full reconstruction of the R223 and its bridge, will depend on the outcome of the upcoming assessments.
“Whether the road is upgraded to a properly surfaced standard will also be determined based on the findings of these assessments,” Mpya added.
He said a 2024 assessment rated the condition of the R223 road as poor.
“Traffic data from the same year recorded an Average Daily Traffic of 1 026 vehicles, including 164 heavy vehicles. Given these volumes, the road qualifies as a candidate for an upgrade to a surfaced (tarred) standard, highlighting its importance for daily commuters and freight transport,” he explained.
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