Bridge link to Tsolo

A state-of-the-art Mabey steel bridge built by Mhlontlo municipal bosses with materials bought from the UK cost a little over R1.9m.

The total cost of the project is around R18m.

The bulk of the infrastructure project, R16.1m, was spent on building a 15km access road to the new facility.

The Daily Dispatch reported last week that a new bridge had been built connecting Ngqakaqheni residents and others from more than 20 other villages to the rest of Tsolo.

ECM Technologies’ sales engineer Martin Venter, whose company helped buy the steel from overseas for Mhlontlo municipality, said the bridge was a smart and sustainable infrastructure solution.

He said they built Mabey bridges in Tsomo and in the Free State province in 2009 and 2010.

Mhlontlo municipal spokesperson Sisa Mpehle said constructing the access road included building up a road bed and wearing course, constructing dish drains and putting up stormwater drainage systems.

There were also labour costs as well as sub-contractors and consultants’ fees.