Are we waiting for a bridge to collapse?

I WAS shocked to read in the ZO Weekender edition (11 May) of the cracks along the bridge on the P230 between Empangeni and eShowe photographed in the Ndlangubo area.

The cracks stretch across the entire width of the bridge that runs over the Mhlathuze River and which is used by thousands of vehicles every day.

What is particularly disturbing is that inspections are supposedly done regularly by Department of Transport personnel and if structures are identified as being in need of urgent attention, it is placed on a list of priorities.

How then did this massive defect slip through the cracks?

This hazardous condition ought to have been detected by inspectors a long time ago.

Are we waiting for the bridge to collapse before intervening?

Government needs to be proactive and not reactive when it comes to service delivery and the maintenance of crucial infrastructure.

Fix this road before we lose lives.

Let us not even delve into the reasoning behind the cracks. Shoddy workmanship and construction seems to be the order of the day.

Let us get it right from the start. Hire the right people for the job and we will not have to mop up the mess every time.

TIRED OF WAITING