Batting Bridge to be closed for a week for renovations

TRAFFIC will be redirected away from Batting Bridge over the Nahoon River in East London for a week as Buffalo City Metro replaces joints and resurfaces the busy bridge.

The maintenance work, which will cost R2.5-million, will be undertaken on Friday until July 22.

In a statement the metro advised motorists that the bridge would be closed for the week the work will be done on it.

From Friday until Monday, the city will resurface the bridge then replace the joints on the bridge from Monday until Saturday, July 22.

The renovations come after the metro did an assessment of bridges and found weakness that required renovation.

“The main reason for the work is the replacement of the joints,” BCM spokesman Samkelo Ngwenya said.

“An assessment of all BCMM bridges was undertaken and the main finding was that the joints on a number of bridges were in a very poor condition.

“The joints seal the bridge and prevent the ingress of water to bearings which are an essential part of the structure.

“BCMM is currently in the process of carrying out essential maintenance and rehabilitation of the bridges including concrete spall repairs, resurfacing and joints.

“While the bridge is closed the resurfacing will be attended to at the same time in order to prevent any further closures,” said Ngwenya.

Mamlambo Construction Surfacing and CZAR construction have been appointed as the main contractor working on the joints of the bridge.

Ngwenya advised motorists to make use of alternative routes.

“All road users are advised to make use of alternate routes via the N2, or Old Transkei Road (via Abbotsford), Wyse Avenue route /N6 to avoid disappointment. BCMM apologies for any inconvenience caused,” he said.

Ngwenya said more bridges would be closed in the near future for the same reasons, but could not confirm the dates.

“The Biko Bridge is among the ones also soon to be closed off due to upgrades, but everything will be communicated in good time,” Ngwenya said. —