New Sipetu River Bridge

Construction of the new Sipetu River Bridge, across the Sipetu River near Mount Frere in the Eastern Cape Province. The existing Sipetu River bridge is located on the DR08447 along the route between DR08125 and the Sipetu Hospital. The existing bridge will be demolished and a new bridge constructed approximately 25 m downstream and to the north of the existing bridge location. The Sipetu Hospital Road upgrade involves the realignment of the road in this area to reduce the curve in the road, as a result the location of the Sipetu River Bridge will be located slightly downstream of the existing bridge location. The proposed new bridge will consist of 3 solid reinforced concrete deck slabs supported by concrete piers with elastomeric bearing pads on closed cantilever type abutments and return walls. The bridge must be 11.5m wide, 30.6m long and have a height of approximately 4.23m. The bridge will have two lanes with a side walk on either side of the bridge with guardrails and parapets to protect the pedestrians from the vehicles. The bridge will be designed to accommodate a flood return period of 50 years.