Progress being made to repair bridge destroyed in gas tanker explosion

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01-11-2023
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Boksburg Advertiser
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With the closure of Hospital and Rondebult roads sinkhole, residents in the neighbourhood and people trying to access the hospital are forced to contend with heavy traffic.

While the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) remains unforthcoming with information on its efforts to fix the Hospital Road railroad bridge in Plantation, Boksburg Advertiser understands they have recently appointed a contractor to carry out the remedial work.

It is expected to begin this month (October).

The bridge was destroyed on the morning of Christmas Eve when a gas tanker got stuck while trying to go through the bridge, started leaking gas and exploded. Forty-one people, including Tambo Memorial Hospital staff, died as a result of the blast, either on the scene or in hospital in the weeks that followed the tragedy.

Information received suggests that the repair job, which entails design, specialist services and construction, was awarded to Re A Letamisa Trading and Projects CC, and it’s estimated that it will be completed within a period of 10 months to the tune of about R80m.

The Boksburg Advertiser reported in August that Prasa was considering taking it upon itself to rehabilitate the bridge as part of its multi-billion rand reconstruction works to restore the province’s battered rail network.

Apart from creating a barrier to the Prasa project, the closure of the section of the road following the Christmas Eve tragedy has been presenting serious traffic problems for residents of Plantation and emergency service vehicles using the stretch of road to travel between Plantation and other areas.

Scope of work

According to Ward 32 Clr Marius de Vos, who was part of the project’s recent stakeholders’ meeting, the scope of the work includes investigation and design, demolition of the bridge remnants, construction of the new bridge, construction of track works and furniture, repair of railway track gantries, re-instate electrical cables, and repair of the existing stormwater drainage system.

The months of headaches regarding Plantation’s traffic madness and detours may come to an end by July, with Prasa embarking on a multi-million project to rehabilitate the rail-road bridge on Hospital Road.

Job opportunities

The project is expected to create job opportunities for locals, and these include general labourers and proposed local SMME packages including technical opportunities such as steel fixing for the bridge, stormwater drainage, kerbing and paving.

Additional opportunities for locals will include training, supply of fuel material, security services, toilets, containers, and plant hire (TLB, tippers and small plant).

While a senior employee, who is not authorised to speak on behalf of the agency, confirmed the project, the agency’s spokesperson Lillian Mofokeng has not responded to our repeated requests for information on several occasions since August.

Relief from traffic jam

De Vos pointed out that once this bridge has been rebuilt and the road (Hospital Road) is opened, this will relieve the nearby alternative roads of the high volumes of traffic entering and exiting Plantation.

“With the closure of Hospital Road and the Rondebult sinkhole, residents in the neighbourhood and people trying to access the hospital are forced to contend with heavy traffic. Motorists even battle to exit the driveways outside these properties, particularly on Palm Avenue, as a result of the traffic jam on the suburb’s streets, during peak hours.”

Economic spinoffs

“Fixing and reopening the Springs to Johannesburg railway corridors will have a huge spinoff because the number of people travelling to work by taxi will now be able to get back to the taxi and pay almost 50% less of what they are currently spending on transport alone.

“Apart from the peace of mind for the residents of Plantation, commuters and people accessing the hospital will also benefit.”

De Vos added that Prasa officials told him that this project forms part of the agency’s multi-billion rand reconstruction works to restore the province’s vandalised rail system, which includes the railway line for the commuter train service connecting Springs to Germiston, Johannesburg and Pretoria.

The City of Ekurhuleni also welcomed the move, saying Prasa has a full responsibility to fix the bridge as it belongs to them.

The Advertiser also asked the metro whether it will be involved in ensuring that the section of the bridge, including the stormwater system and sewer lines that form part of the city’s infrastructure, are properly rehabilitated.

Metro spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said, “Where there is a role for us to play in the process, it shall be identified, brought to our attention and the intervention to be determined.”

He added that if the road and the bridge are deemed safe to use after Prasa’s project, as a city they will not have a reason not to reopen the stretch of road.