Sanral engineer adamant Pietermaritzburg bridge is ‘safe to use’

The South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) has once again reassured the media and the public that the Peter Brown bridge in Pietermaritzburg is safe to use.

This comes after the media was invited to a site visit and briefing earlier this week, reports Maritzburg Sun.

Sanral Eastern Region project manager and structures specialist Mohammed Parak said that due to the original construction of the bridge, it was safe for use.

“We have taken the necessary steps to ensure that the bridge is safe.

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“Due to the longitudinal beams, there is enough reserve strength that is redistributed. There are props in place to ensure that the damaged column is supported. We can say the bridge is 100 % safe,” said Parak.

Sanral’s Ravi Ronny and Mohammed Parak at the Peter Brown bridge last week.

He added that the bridge was inspected on a daily basis, and vehicles that exceeded the weight limit of 20 tons was a policing issue, as the other roads in close proximity allowed for 20 tons.

Ravi Ronny, Sanral Eastern Region design, planning and construction manager, said that the upgrade of the bridge was of high importance and the reason for the delay was due to procurement regulations.

“The cost of the upgrade should cost in the region of three to five million rand. The finalising of the tender document should be completed at the earliest,” said Ronny.

Sanral Eastern Region project manager Hugh Brooks also reiterated that the bridge was safe to use, and the supply chain protocol would have to be followed.

“The bridge is safe to use, provided that users adhere to the weight restrictions that are in place. There have been delays with regards to the finalising of the tender document, but all protocol regarding procurement would have to be adhered to,” said Brooks.

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