N2 relief imminent as Sanral nears completion of Umhlali bridge

Tags

---

22-06-2023
Read : 172 times
North Coast Courier
Source

While there is good progress to report at the N2 Umhlali River bridge, Westbrook's Nguni complex body corporate has threatened to bring to the High Court an urgent interdict barring the reopening of the Tongaat River bridge if a separate portion of the M4 near the complex is not first repaired.

Long-suffering motorists who have had to endure 14 months of extreme frustration at the damaged N2 Umhlali River bridge crossing, can rejoice.

The South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) reports all four lanes will be open for traffic in five weeks time.

Despite challenges, significant headway has been made repairing the bridge damaged during last year’s April floods.

The good news comes hot on the heels of a successful tender finally being awarded for the repair of the M4 Tongaat River bridge, with work scheduled to start within the next two weeks.

Visiting the N2 construction site on Monday, elated Sanral project manager Siphesihle Mthembu said significant progress has been made despite challenges, particularly caused by weather.

Heavy rains at the end of May raised fears of further delays when the bridge area again became flooded, but the impact turned out to be minor.

“It is anticipated that four of the bridge’s seven decks will be in position by this Friday, leaving three to go,” said Mthembu.

The bridge decks have been jacked into place both vertically and horizontally, with repair teams working around the clock to complete the project.

At the site visit on Monday were Sanral project managers Trevor Zumani (left) and Siphesihle Mthembu (right) with Salt Rock ward councillor Privi Makhan.

Once the decks have been correctly positioned, anticipated to be complete by the end of June, approaches on both ends of the bridge will be filled after completing earth and layering work.

Once done, road markings, guardrails and joining work on the seven decks will be attended to.

“We do not anticipate any further delays,” said Mthembu.

Salt Rock ward councillor Privi Makhan, who sits on the N2 Umhlali River bridge repair project steering committee, reported that the contractors stuck to the timelines to finish the project.

“The N2 serves as the most significant economic artery locally, especially for areas such as the Isithebe industrial estate,” she said, welcoming the prospect of a return to normal traffic flow.

Makhan added the R37-million project had contributed to local job creation, with 30 people employed.

Heading south on the M4 route, news broke last Wednesday that Raubex Group Limited subsidiary company, Cape Town-based Empa Structures, was awarded a R54-million tender for the repair and rehabilitation of Tongaat River bridge.

The good news followed after 14 months of failed tender attempts by Sanral.

The scope of work entails the installation of piled structures around the damaged pier of the bridge, which will be jacked up back to the correct level with necessary bracing and support.

Empa Structures is a highly rated construction and engineering company with a successful track record.

Current projects the company are working on include the reconstruction of the Sand River bridge in the Eastern Cape, valued at R57.4-million, and the replacement of the Old Oak bridge in Western Cape, a R50.5-million project.

iLembe Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism chief executive officer, Cobus Oelofse, said hopes are high that the bridge will be open for traffic in time for the peak year-end holiday season.

“The appointment of a contractor has been the most significant development toward the bridge’s repair. The Chamber and affected businesses hope this positive momentum will be maintained.”

Oelofse said Sanral had invited the Chamber to nominate a representative who will sit on the project’s liaison committee.

“We will use this platform to ensure the urgency of the repairs remains the primary consideration,” he said.

Enterprise iLembe CEO, Linda Mncube, said the local economy had experienced an immediate negative impact when the bridge was damaged and closed, also inconveniencing commuters who rely on the road.

“The repair and reopening of the M4 bridge will not only reinstate a crucial connection between eThekwini and iLembe, but will provide local businesses access to a large market and consumer base south of the district, leading to increased economic activity,” he said.

But residents at the Nguni complex situated close to the bridge, do have an issue which they believe must be addressed before the bridge is reopened.

Nguni complex body corporate members, retired quantity surveyor Ian Simpson and chairman Gerald Nochumsohn. In the background is the slippage sustained on the embankment on the M4 behind the complex at Westbrook.

The body corporate threatens to launch an urgent interdict in the High Court on the matter. Their reasoning for doing so is centred around the delay in repairs to a portion of the M4 opposite the complex at Westbrook.

Body corporate chairman Gerald Nochumsohn and retired quantity surveyor Ian Simpson said they believed the road poses a serious threat to the safety of the complex and its residents.

They are concerned it could collapse if traffic increased.

The area in question was also damaged during last year’s floods, with the embankment opposite the complex sustaining substantial slippage.

“If it is the intention to reopen the bridge without stabilising the embankment, we will launch an urgent interdict with the High Court. It would be an act of gross recklessness to reopen the bridge without repairing the embankment,” said Nochumsohn.

It is understood that Sanral had appointed a design and supervision consultant to assess the situation.