Video monitoring to increase on Blackburn Bridge

THE SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) will enclose the Blackburn pedestrian bridge. Work is expected to start this month and Sanral general manager of communications, Vusi Mona, said the agency has increased video monitoring in the area of the N2 and has corresponded with the Road Traffic Inspectorate and SAPS to patrol this section more frequently.

“SANRAL understands the plight of many of the poor communities needing to access freeways and rather than prevent them using it, embrace and provide them with safe bridge crossings and walkways alongside its freeways where appropriate. The Blackburn Pedestrian Bridge offers a safe pedestrian crossing of this heavily trafficked section of national road,” he said.

Mona added the incidents of stone-throwing off bridges are isolated and are not an engineering problem for Sanral to solve.

“Stone-throwing can happen off embankments or on any other bridge on any road in South Africa. We do, however, take note of the seriousness of these incidents. This was the last resort from our perspective as there have been engagements with the community and councillors in the area on ensuring safety in the area. It is unfortunate that there still exists, within our communities, criminal elements and activities which are difficult to root out,” he said.

Sanral have contracted a company to fabricate and erect the steel enclosure. “The enclosure is likely to be erected in early 2014. In addition, we have increased video monitoring in this area of the N2,” he said.