The R113-million rehabilitation project of the M1 double-decker bridge is on track and is expected to be complete three months prior to the initial anticipated time.
This was revealed during the oversight visit by Mayor Herman Mashaba, MMC for Transport Nonhlanhla Makhuba and Johannesburg Roads Agency officials on 10 July. The restoration of the bridge began in February last year and was expected to be complete by 4 December. However, it was announced that the project would be complete in August.
The maintenance and rehabilitation of the bridge covers a total length of 1.02km situated on the M1 between Newtown and Fordsburg in Johannesburg. To date, R93 million has been spent with 10 local small, medium and micro enterprises appointed at a value of R15 million and 164 people employed during the rehabilitation process.
Mashaba said that he was pleased with the progress of the project. “The contractual date of completion is December. However, the service provider has revised the completion date to end of August. As we have said before, we have taken difficult decisions to close many of our roads and bridges for maintenance work because failure to do so leaves our motorists at risk due to imminent collapse. The safety of our road users is our foremost priority,” said Mashaba.
The bridge consists of two reinforced concrete deck superstructures, directly above each other, supported on trestle-like piers. Work complete on the bridge includes asphalt surfacing, bearings, concrete members in the super and substructures and road signs. The contractor is currently doing joints expansion, bridge parapets and the drainage system.
The bridge experienced a lot of damage due to constant issues of flooding following inadequate stormwater infrastructure and vandalism of bridge parapet rails. JRA acting managing director, Siya Nodu said, “The safety of road users is our priority as the JRA and the City of Johannesburg, hence the constant inspections, maintenance and rehabilitation of our bridge infrastructure.”
Related article:
https://northeasterntribune.co.za/227786/mayor-herman-mashaba-sincerely-apologises-m2-bridge-road-closure/
