Cork Avenue bridge now open after R7.3 million makeover

01 August 2017

 

Cork Avenue Bridge in Ferndale, Randburg is now accessible to all road users, following Johannesburg Roads Agency’s (JRA) R7.3 million reconstruction of the bridge.

 

The repairs to the bridge form part of JRA’s city-wide repair and rehabilitation of storm water drainage systems to ensure safe and accessible roads and related infrastructure. The bridge was declared unsafe for public use, following heavy rainfall and flash flooding in January 2017 which destroyed the low-lying bridge over the Klein Jukskei River.

Member of the Mayoral Committee for Transport Councillor Nonhlanhla Makhuba said: “Earlier this year, the City was hard hit by excessive damage to infrastructure due to severe weather conditions experienced, which necessitated a R103.5 million emergency repair investment for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of six city bridges.

“To ensure public safety, risk mitigation strategies were implemented to swiftly address the collapsing Cork Avenue Bridge. Following a flood impact assessment, the bridge’s demolition and reconstruction was prioritised at R7.3 million. The project was embarked upon in early February and has taken six months to complete.”

A site inspection post the flood damage revealed the extent of damage to the structure. MMC Makhuba said the existing sewerline and other services were severely exposed due to excessive erosion caused by the failure of the stream crossing.

As part of the reconstruction, a three-metre-high gabion wall was established on either side of Cork Avenue Bridge’s stormwater inlet and outlet to support increased water volumes; a 12 metre gabion mattress has been installed; de-siltation has been carried out, and rubble and debris has been removed.

Guardrails and culverts have also been replaced and JRA has increased the vegetation on the banks to address soil erosion. The retaining walls have been reconstructed and road signs swept away by the stormwater have been replaced.

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