Repairs to the M4 oThongathi River bridge that was damaged in the April 2022 floods is set to begin soon after the R54 million tender was eventually awarded for the repair and rehabilitation of the bridge.
The bridge, that has been closed, since 2022 will be repaired by Empa Structures (Pty) Ltd over a six-month period.
Empa Structures is a subsidiary of the Raubex Group, the second largest construction company currently listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and specialises in the construction of reinforced concrete structures.
The KwaZulu Natal Department of Transport and South African National Roads Agency’s (SANRAL) on Friday introduced the contractor to the North Coast community.
The closure of the bridge has negatively impacted on the communities and businesses in the areas of Zimbali, Ballito, Salt Rock, Shaka’s Head, travel to and from those areas as well as access to the N2.
Repairing the bridge will be part of the first phase and will ensure that motorists are able to travel safely. The design for a safer long-term structure will also commence concurrently.
KZN Department of Transport said in a statement that the repairs formed part of restoring mobility in all strategic routes which had been affected by the floods.
Mpho Nephembani, the project manager at Sanral Eastern Region, said they had previously made four failed attempts to appoint a contractor for this project.
Mr Nephembani said Sanral had issued a closed tender where specific contractors had been invited to bid.
“Sanral previously had four failed attempts to appoint a contractor on this project through its tender process due to all tenderers either being non-responsive or no submissions being received,” said Mr Nephembani.
“This bridge was the main remaining strategic route with access cut completely. The M4 oThongathi River Bridge also provides an alternative route to the N2. The repair for this bridge will provide relief to nearby residents as some of them were affected by the upliftment of a waiver in the payment of uMvoti and oThongathi toll,” he said.
The department said the repairs would be part of the first phase in providing solutions to the existing structure.
“The design for a long-term, all access and improved structure will also commence to provide alternative engineering solutions and to avert similar occurrences in future,” read the department’s statement.
