Tensions between motorists escalate at the Steelbridge

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03-06-2022
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Lowvelder
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"Eight local mines have made financial commitments and will soon sign a memorandum of agreement with Road Agency Limpopo (RAL) for the project to commence," revealed Masemola.

STEELPOORT – Motorists using the old single-lane steel bridge are getting frustrated as they await the construction of a new bridge. Last Friday the traffic at the Ga Malekane Bridge was backed-up from 16:00 till 21:00.
Schoolchildren were left stranded during the evening as they couldn’t get home.

There are damages on the bridge.

In October 2020, Limpopo’s MEC for roads and public works, Dickson Masemola, said the department has partnered with local mines in the Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM) to construct a new bridge in Steelpoort. The new bridge was to replace the single-lane steel bridge at the intersection of the D2219 and R555.

During his visit Masemola engaged traditional leaders on infrastructure development programmes of the government in partnership with the private sector.

He said the steel bridge will not be demolished, but will be reconstructed for pedestrian use.

“Eight local mines have made financial commitments and will soon sign a memorandum of agreement with Road Agency Limpopo (RAL) for the project to commence,” revealed Masemola.

The memorandum of agreement ( MOU) was indeed signed back in December 2020.

The parties involved in the signing included the RAL, the Steelpoort Bridge Upgrade Community (SBUC), and a group of eight mining companies operating within the SDM.

According to residents, since the 2020 promise, nothing has been done at the bridge. Motorists say there is still no movement on site and that traffic continues to pile up during peak hours.

“On Friday for more than five hours the buses transporting miners were still parked next to the bridge; they couldn’t pass. Passengers got off the buses to travel on foot,” added one miner.

Steelburger/Lydenburg News previously received calls from motorists who complained about tension between drivers while crossing the steel bridge.

“I cross the steel bridge to and from work every day during peak hours; motorists don’t give one another a chance to pass. This has resulted in fights and insults. We will be glad if construction starts immediately,” said a local businessman in the area.

Videos circulating on social media shows a queue of vehicles on the busy road. The newspaper understands that this project has been on the Limpopo government’s radar for years.

In February 2018, the RAL held a stakeholder engagement and fundraising session with the local business and mining sector in SDM.

The fundraising was aimed at addressing a 1 173km backlog in roadworks in the municipality.

During the meeting, it was revealed that the estimated cost of the construction of the new bridge was over R81 million.

Roads Agency Limpopo spokesperson Maropeng Manyathela indicated that that the process is ongoing, with construction expected to start between August and September this year.