Pedestrians who commute between Sandton and Alexandra will soon be able to travel safely after the imminent completion of the Grayston Drive bridge that links the two communities.
The bridge is at the site of the unfortunate collapse of the temporary support structure in October 2015. The enquiry into the collapse resumed in September this year and is expected to be concluded in 2018.
The safe and convenient daily commute of more than 10 000 people between Alexandra township and the Sandton business district is close to reality with the approaching completion of the Grayston Drive bridge by the construction group, Concor, on behalf of its client, the Joburg Development Agency.
The bridge, which is developed at a cost of R138 million, will be handed over to the agency and open to pedestrians and cyclists by December 2017.
The project was initiated as part of the City of Johannesburg’s strategy to improve mobility within the key nodes in the city.
Susan Monyai, acting executive manager: marketing and communications said, “We conducted a study which established in excess of 10 000 pedestrians and cyclists walked or cycled the 5.2 km from Alexandra to Sandton on a daily basis. The City then decided to formalise this walking route by making it safer and convenient, and the Great Walk project was born.”
The concrete bridge was developed to link the community from the Wynberg side of Alexandra with the existing and upgraded pedestrian facilities on Katherine Street in Sandton.
Dividing lanes separating cyclists and pedestrians have also been incorporated into the structure to enable easy movement between the two categories of users.
Monyai said, “The bridge also has many unique features that make it stand out, such as the 70m-high main pylon, which will ‘lean back’ at an angle, with the cable stays angling down towards the deck in front and the anchor blocks at the back.
“The bridge will soon be a landmark for residents and visitors to the city with its unique features. It will be enhanced by specially designed lighting at night,” said Monyai.
Rodney Koch, strategic advisor to the executive deputy chairman and CEO of Concor said, “The construction company tasked with bringing this project to life, is extremely excited about the imminent project completion and the impact the bridge will have on the lives of people living and working in the area.
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“This project is about bringing two parts of the city together in a manner that should improve the lives of users on both sides of the city.”
Koch added that Concor prides themselves on the exceptional work done, and the use of leading construction techniques to ensure the success of the project.
He said the project also had a positive socio-economic impact in the local community through job creation and engagement of local enterprises.
“Some of the local SMMEs which benefitted during the construction phase of the project include Lwele Enterprise and Saissibo CC, which were contracted to install concrete block paving and vehicle barrier walls,” said Koch.
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