Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News, 2014-11-05

The damaged East road overhead bridge on the N12 near the Lenasia-Eldorado Park offramp might take months to repair, MEC for Roads and Transport Ismail Vadi told Radio Islam on Tuesday.

“Unfortunately the engineers said it could take up to 6 months (to repair) so we are in for what I think a very difficult time with the traffic management on the N12 freeway,” said Vadi.

The bridge was badly damaged last Thursday when a heavy duty truck carrying cargo exceeding the permissible height restrictions struck the top structure destroying two of the six beams on the bridge creating massive traffic congestion on the freeway.

“So what they are saying is that bridge is at risk and if there’s very heavy traffic on top of the bridge, it could collapse. That’s how serious it is,” Vadi said.

“The left lanes on East road and on the N12 will have to be closed until the bridge has been repaired and declared safe. Unfortunately, this will cause traffic congestion and inconvenience to motorists but safety comes first.”

Vadi said the department has asked traffic management if it was possible to open one of the shoulders of the N12 to ease the congestion.

The ‘Kliptown bridge’ as it is commonly known to residents was constructed in the 1960s and serves as a critical link between Kliptown, Eldorado Park and Nancefield Industrial.

Vadi said that department of roads and transport received an assessment report from a bridge engineer who had inspected the site and raised serious concerns of the structure and safety of the bridge.

Vadi also indicated that stringent speed restrictions will apply as the N12 freeway from Eldorado Park to the North West boundary is currently undergoing maintenance and rehabilitation.

The freeway maintenance works will be on-going for the next 12 months.

Vadi appealed to motorists to drive carefully and exercise patience saying that intolerance will only exacerbate a difficult situation and advised that motorists can use alternate routes.

“Alternative routes are important, the Golden Highway is an alternative route, we have rehabilitated it so it is in a reasonably good condition, (among others)” said Vadi.

(Twitter: @Faizie143)