#Letter: Delay in M4 bridge repair causes frustration

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08-11-2022
Read : 688 times
North Coast Courier
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"At our last meeting with Sanral it was said the tenders were unsuccessful and that an advertisement for tenders would have to go out again," Ward 30 councillor, Jack Abrahams.

Ward 30 Cllr Jack Abrahams writes:

After being damaged by the April floods, no repair work on the Tongaat River bridge on the border of KwaDukuza and eThekwini has commenced, leaving local businesses and residents frustrated.

Initial engagement with Sanral indicated the repairs would begin in mid-September and be completed by mid-November to be ready for the December holidays.

At our last meeting with Sanral it was said the tenders were unsuccessful and that an advertisement for tenders would have to go out again.

The next target date for repair work to start is mid-November.

It is estimated that temporary repairs would take eight weeks.

The initial plan was to have the bridge open for the holiday season, but this will unfortunately no longer be the case. Delivery bike drivers still use the bridge despite it being barricaded off.

I’ve received a call from the Engen group stating they were supposed to begin with the construction of a petrol station in Zimbali Lakes, but this will only go ahead once confirmation of the bridge repairs is supplied. Zimbali Lakes will also boast a mini mall.

During my last oversight visit it was clearly evident the bridge has collapsed even further. Residents and businesses will obviously have to wait a little longer for the repairs to commence and the bridge to be opened for traffic again.