Themba bridge to be widened
The way has been paved for the widening of the Nelson Mandela Boulevard / Thembalethu bridge over the N2. The George Municipal Council approved an adjustment budget during its council meeting on 30 June which included acceptance of a R82-million grant from the national Department of Transport. Municipal Manager Trevor Botha told George Herald that the municipality, together with other spheres of government, is working on the technical details with the national treasury "to allow for the transfer of the funding in order that it may be used as a contribution towards the widening of the bridge".
He said the widening of the bridge is a proposed South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) project that requires a financial contribution from the George Municipality, which the municipality could not secure until this grant from Transport became available.
"The George Municipality looks forward to the possibility of this project going ahead in the next few years. A wider bridge between George central and Thembalethu would not only ease traffic on one of the most congested roads in the city, but also ultimately pave the way for growth and development," he said. Richard Shumi, chairperson of the Thembalethu Business Chamber, on Tuesday said the widening of the bridge is overdue seeing the increase in the number of vehicles. According to him it is estimated that about 2 000 vehicles use the bridge every day. The widening of the bridge will ease access into Thembalethu and "will also ensure that people arrive on time at their place of work".
It will also facilitate the future economic and tourism development of Thembalethu, said Shumi.
The George Municipality looks forward to the possibility of this project going ahead in the next few years.