Refurbished bridge open to traffic

Mnini commuters breathed a sigh of relief when the refurbished Umkomaas bridge was opened to traffic by Department of Transport officials on Monday afternoon, 29 September.

The Umkomaas road bridge that links the area to Mnini and which is estimated to be close to 100-years-old, underwent extensive renovations to make it safe for pedestrians and motor vehicles. The work was undertaken by Avellini Bros at a cost of about R11.3-m.

“The initial date of completion was 21 September, but we added another week for additional painting,” said site foreman, Mark Chetty.

A team of 14 painters coated the bridge with almost 1,000 litres of paint. Work is still progressing underneath the newly tarred roadway, and a 20-metre strip of road on either side of the bridge will undergo resurfacing.

“We are pleased to announce an excellent safety record of zero incidents during the six-month project, which included ropemen and men on elevated machines doing welding and painting.”

While work commenced on the bridge, which was initially built as a railway bridge, it was closed to traffic, but open to pedestrians, with the occasional cow or goat still crossing in between workmen.

The bridge had become so unsafe, last year a cow crossing it fell over the side when a railing broke, but was saved thanks to a combined community rescue effort.

A young child also almost disappeared over the side recently when a railing snapped.

“The community will be very happy now that the bridge is repaired and open to traffic,” said ward 98 and 99 PR councillor, Absalom Mthembu. “”It is much safer now for pedestrians with the railing s fixed.”