Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi, 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.
A statement by the Gauteng Department for Roads and Transport noted that 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 had 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 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 had received an accident assessment report from a bridge engineer who had 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 would apply as the N12 freeway from Eldorado Park to the North West boundary was currently undergoing rehabilitation. The freeway maintenance works will be ongoing for the next 12 months.
Over-height truck causes major damage to bridge
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