Badly damaged N12 bridge will take months to repair – Vadi
Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi, today confirmed that there was “severe structural damage” to the East Road Bridge cutting across the N12 freeway near Eldorado Park, posing a high risk to motorists using both East Road and the N12 freeway below it.
The East Road overhead bridge close to the N12 Lenasia/Eldorado Park off-ramp was badly damaged last Thursday, when a heavily loaded truck carrying cargo exceeding the permissible height restrictions hit the top structure resulting in massive traffic congestion on the freeway.
Vadi said that three precast concrete beams have been severely damaged as a result of the accident, rendering “nearly half of the bridge completely unsafe”.
“This is yet another example of freight trucks not abiding by the load and height restrictions, causing untold damage to our road infrastructure and creating serious risks for other road users,” said an angry Vadi.
The ‘Kliptown bridge’ as it is commonly known to local residents was constructed in the 1960s and serves as a critical link between Kliptown, Eldorado Park, Nancefield Industrial and the nearby informal settlement.
Vadi said that the provincial department of roads and transport received an accident assessment report from a bridge engineer, who raised serious concerns about the structural safety of the bridge.
“Our primary concern right now is the safety of road users on the freeway and on East Road as the bridge has been declared unsafe,” said Vadi.
“The left lanes on East Road and on the N12 will have to be closed until the bridge has been repaired,” he added. This unfortunately will cause traffic congestion and inconvenience to motorists but safety comes first, he emphasised.
Vadi also pointed out that stringent speed restrictions will apply as the N12 freeway from Eldorado Park to the North West boundary is currently undergoing rehabilitation. The freeway maintenance works will be on-going for the next 12 months.
He appealed to motorists to drive carefully and exercise patience saying that intolerance will only exacerbate an already difficult situation.
Enquiries:
Octavia Mamabolo
Tel: 011 355 7300
Cell: 082 316 8666
E-mail: Octavia.Mamabolo@gauteng.gov.za
