SPOORNET'S MAIN rail line serving northern countries reopened this week, more than one month ahead of schedule after the damage inflicted by the floods in February.
Normal services through Beit Bridge to and from Zimbabwe, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo were disrupted through washaways and the destruction of the bridge over the Sand River at Lilliput.
As a result traffic was diverted through Botswana, but Spoornet's general manager, rail and terminal services Simo Lushaba, announced this week that new lines had been laid and the bridge replaced.
Repair costs are in excess of R70m, but having reduced the repair time by about six weeks we have managed to cut back on costs, he said. Our technical teams from infrastructure worked day and night on all 12 routes in four provinces that were affected by damage or washaways. It has shown that we have the sound capacity to confront any issue of this nature.
All other damaged lines are now in full operation once again, he reported. A total of 40km were damaged countrywide, with 18km of them washed away.
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