Engineers inspect ‘lifeline’ bridge
The KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, is concerned about the bridge and has dispatched engineers to examine it and report back.
Over the years, concerns have been raised about the structural integrity of the Mzimkhulu River bridge, as cracks have appeared and large chunks of concrete have fallen below.
Nomusa Zulu, spokesperson at Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, said the municipality assures the public that the matter has been formally tabled with the Department of Transport (DoT), the custodian of the road infrastructure.
“We have received assurance that urgent action will be taken to inspect the structure, with the intention to make recommendations for appropriate and necessary intervention,” added Zulu.
DoT spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya said the KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, is concerned about the bridge and has dispatched engineers to examine it and report back.
“We will revert with a comprehensive response once we receive the report,” said Sibiya.
The Herald spotted a team from DoT examining the bridge last Tuesday.
Initially, a chunk, which had fallen off pillar two from the Port Shepstone side, had raised concerns about the safety of the 180m long, 25m high bridge.
In May this year, the Herald highlighted that the bridge was in need of serious repairs and that it will not fix itself. Motorists had noticed a sag on pillar two on the southbound lane, as well as concrete pieces breaking off.
At the time, a Port Shepstone resident and fisherman, Teddy Moodley, had alerted the Herald that the bridge was sagging and that officials were not taking it seriously.
“On a visit to Sandspit last Tuesday, I noticed more concrete chunks from pillar two on the sand on the riverside,” said Moodley.
The iconic rail/road bridge was built in 1959.
A concerned motorist expressed that the ageing bridge was a disaster waiting to happen and questioned why regular maintenance was not conducted on South Coast bridges.
DA Caucus chairman Clr Leon Garbade said the bridge is an absolute ‘lifeline’ that joins the Port Shepstone CBD to the entire northern suburbs and beyond.
“We are reliant on the bridge to get to work, for deliveries, and, of course, transporting children to school. Unfortunately, the bridge has been displaying signs of stress, and we are now facing a position where the bridge is in need of extensive repairs. The matter has been escalated to the relevant authorities at DoT, who have dispatched a team of engineers. In the short-term, the bridge will not be closed; however, certain restrictive measures such as weight and speed are being investigated,” said Garbade.
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