Despite inspectors discovering more damage on the M2 Selby bridge, the rehabilitation project still continues with its initial R151 million budget and is expected to be completed in record time.
This was revealed by the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) on 23 May during a site inspection on the bridge and to provide a progress update.
Head of infrastructure development at JRA, Siya Genu said during assessment they discovered that there was more damage on joints of the structure.
However, the construction would continue under the set budget and will be complete by the end of October this year.
Genu said new joints have already been installed.
Tar has also been removed from the bridge deck to allow installation of waterproof treatment to prevent the concrete from sustaining damage.
The bridge which was closed on 28 February this year has 16 columns and four of them need to be reconstructed.
“A support structure has been designed to carry the deck during reconstruction of the columns. The bridge deck has been jacked up and is sitting on a temporary structure until new columns have been constructed.”
The acting managing director at JRA, Siya Nodu said the demolition of the failed bridge structural elements was at 90 per cent and installation of the jacking system was complete.
Furthermore, the milling of the existing asphalt to allow for further drainage was currently underway.
“We would like to remind road users that the M2 motorway between Crown Interchange and Maritzburg Street is still closed for rehabilitation. The full closure will remain in force until end of October,” he said.
Meanwhile, the rehabilitation of the Kazerne bridge is also underway.
The bridge deck was damaged and had to be demolished to allow for a reconstruction of a new one. The cost of the project is R60 million and it will be complete in two months time.
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