Ward 74 councillor Dave Fisher said the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has announced that the Hilson Bridge on The Avenue in Gardens is to receive restoration work, which forms part of a R7.5-million upgrade to the Sandspruit storm water system as it passes the old Hilson Bridge and travels under the newer bridge on The Avenue.
The project will include demolition of the currently damaged storm water drainage system and the building of a new structure.
He said there’s been gradual erosion, which was worsened by the floods on 9 November, last year and by heavy rains in February.
Repairs will be undertaken to the existing bridge and stream crossing, the main sewer line and other important services.
The riverbanks will undergo reshaping and re-vegetation along with the installation of gabion walls to prevent soil erosion.
Brett McDougall, chairperson of the Norwood and Orchards Residents Association (Nora) first brought this to the City’s attention in January 2015, according to Fisher.
Read: A R7.5-million upgrade of the Avenue Road bridge in Norwood
“With continued pressure from him, there will now be a project to rehabilitate the structural integrity of the bridge to safeguard the cultural significance of the 91-year-old structure,” said the councillor.
The stone Hilson Bridge, said Fisher, was built in 1926 and is the oldest suburban bridge in the city. It falls under the protection of the Gauteng Provincial Heritage Resources Authority as per the National Heritage Resources Act. He said buildings and structures, which are of cultural significance or other special value, are deemed to form part of the national estate, which the Act seeks to preserve.
The roads agency’s managing director, Dr Sean Phillips said, “JRA project managers have finalised inspection, planning is underway and the rehabilitation of the bridge has been scheduled for the 2017/2018 financial year.
Details: www.jra.org.za
Edited by Beryl Knipe
Share Hilson Bridge’s history on the North Eastern Tribune Facebook page.
-
-
-
-
