Fire-damaged lanes of bridge to re-open this month

REPAIRS to the Huletts Bridge on the M4 are expected to take several months following the fire last month, but temporary supports will allow full use of the road within the month.

A veld fire that raged out of control under the bridge on 5 June set alight petroleum gas bottles, causing an explosion. The extreme heat also caused structural damage to the bridge, with two bridge lanes remaining closed to date.

“Timber and truck tyres along with truck trailers parked in the vicinity caught alight and the intense heat resulted in widespread damage to the two north-most spans of the deck and the supporting columns,” said eThekwini municipality’s head of communications, Tozi Mthethwa.

“The remaining two closed-off lanes will be re-opened after repairs, which could take a few months. To date, two columns in particular are severely damaged and the short-term stability thereof is questionable. The safety of motorists is of paramount importance to the municipality.

The interim safety measures taken have been to close two of the four in-bound lanes to reduce the loading imposed on the substructure. This is obviously not ideal as it causes major traffic congestion.

The relevant city unit has begun the process of installing a temporary support system as a matter of extreme urgency. This is expected to be in place by the end of July and thereafter the roadway will be re-opened to its full capacity.

Further repairs to the bridge will continue for several months with occasional lane closures from time to time as deemed necessary for the safety of motorists and construction personnel,” said Mthethwa.

Read some Do’s and Don’ts of Fire Safety here

DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.
To receive news links via BBM, add us using the pin 26701CBA.
To receive news links via WhatsApp, send an invite to 074 601 6420
The Southlands Sun is also on Facebook and Twitter – why not join us there?