The long-awaited reconstruction of the Sjampanje Street bridge has officially begun, but physical construction has not yet started. The bridge partially collapsed during heavy rain in December 2023 and has remained closed since.

At a public meeting held at Ruimsig Athletic Stadium on February 10, residents were informed that the bridge project would begin after the appointment of a community liaison officer (CLO), which was meant to happen after the application closing date of February 18. At the time, project representatives indicated that the CLO appointment was an important step before the project could proceed.

Also read: Sjampanje bridge rebuild plans explained to residents

In response to questions from the Roodepoort Northsider, the Johannesburg Roads Agency’s head of Infrastructure, Kwazelela Mcetywa, confirmed that the CLO was appointed on March 13 and that the contractual commencement date for the project was March 14. However, a leakage next to the bridge has been the cause of the delay.

“The sewer pipe is leaking raw sewage next to the bridge. Johannesburg Water is attending to it so that the contractor can commence with works,” he said.

Mcetywa shared that the contractor has already mobilised for site establishment, and engagements with affected service owners are ongoing for the contractor to effectively commence with actual works and catch up on lost weeks.

The response provides the first formal explanation for the absence of visible construction activity at the bridge, despite residents having expected work to begin earlier.

Despite the delay, Mcetywa said the project duration remains at ten months until such time the contractor is awarded an extension of time for reasons beyond his control.

Also read: Sjampanje Street Bridge crumbles amid delays

On the issue of improved communication with the residents, Mcetywa said future community engagement would be co-ordinated through the ward councillor.

He added that the CLO appointment report and introduction have already been sent to the ward councillor and that a further meeting may be convened to introduce the CLO to the community and provide a project update.

The Northsider requested comment from the current Ward 97 councillor, Jacques Hoon, about when a meeting to introduce the CLO will be held and if there are any more updates on the project from his side, but no response had been received at the time of publication.

For now, while the project has officially commenced in contractual terms, residents are still waiting for visible repair work to begin on site.