Mzimkhulu River bridge repairs at halfway mark
While the bridge is closed, the P464 and the N2 serve as alternative routes.
Some 57% of the repair work on the Mzimkhulu River bridge has been completed, with the re-opening now set for mid-November.
Repairs started in March, after pillar two became unstable. The project, initially expected to take six months at a cost of nearly R200m, aims to restore the bridge’s durability for the next 25 years.
While the bridge is closed, the P464 and the N2 serve as alternative routes.
The KZN Department of Transport and Human Settlements MEC, Siboniso Duma, said contractors are working flat out to ensure the re-opening of a single lane while the bridge is on a jacking system. “The rehabilitation of pillar 2 will continue uninterrupted.”
“If the bridge repairs have been accelerated, then so should the work on the R102, near the Port Shepstone Country Club,” said Sal Musa from the Albersville Ratepayers’ Association.
He added that along the Sugarmill Road (P464) work was done on the side embankment between the sugar mill and the Batstone’s low-level bridge. “The work on the embankment is done well, however, stakeholders pointed out that the surface of the road on that section is unsatisfactory. It needs to be widened and tarred. Also, it’s unsafe as that section is around a bend and narrows down to a single lane,” said Musa.
A stakeholders’ meeting was held at Ray Nkonyeni Municipality Council Chambers last Friday.
Progress is as follows:
* The bridge is set to be completed by early mid-November, previously work was only expected to be completed by December 2.
* Eight of 14 boreholes have been completed.
* Safety brackets have been installed on pillar 2.
* Piling platform is complete.
* The piling rig has been established and piling is due to commence.
* About 50m of parapets have been concrete cast and about 100m of steel fixing is currently in progress.
* Toll waiver was approved and extended until December 2 or earlier if the bridge is open to traffic before the said date.
* Opening of the bridge to be synchronised with the road works on the R102 from the bridge to Commercial Road in Umtentweni.
* Speed humps on the P464 near Spillers Wharf to be painted within a week
* A call for three-way stop signs at the intersection of the low level bridge and Sugarmill Road.
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