Video footage showing a gaping crack across the Ezimbokodweni River Bridge on the N2 Southbound has caused alarm among local residents and motorists.
Story Summary:
- Video footage of a large crack on the Ezimbokodweni River Bridge has raised safety concerns, with SANRAL overseeing repairs.
- KZN Transport MEC Siboniso Duma is in communication with Transport Minister Barbara Creecy to expedite the bridge’s repair.
- Despite public concerns, no timeline for the bridge’s repair has been set, leading to frustration among local commuters.
Ezimbokodweni River Bridge is partially collapsing – Here’s what KZN Transport said
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport (KZN Transport) has acknowledged the bridge’s deteriorating condition and emphasised ongoing communication with national authorities to address the risk it poses.
Despite the urgency, no timeline has been provided for the bridge’s repair, sparking frustration among commuters who rely on this key route.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, in a statement, confirmed he has been briefed by the Road Traffic Inspectorate on the current measures to manage traffic flow around the affected area.
Duma assured the public that the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) is responsible for addressing the issue and is already investigating the situation.
“I have been in constant liaison with the Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, as the executive authority responsible for SANRAL,” Duma stated, indicating that SANRAL’s team is closely monitoring the bridge.
The growing concern over the structural stability of the bridge has led officials to intensify efforts to prioritise the repairs.
The Ezimbokodweni River Bridge, which plays a crucial role in connecting KZN’s southbound traffic, is part of SANRAL’s larger N2 and N3 upgrade project, valued at R5 billion.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy visited the province weeks prior as part of Transport Month, during which she and SANRAL representatives reviewed several ongoing infrastructure projects.
The upgrades are anticipated to improve safety and reduce travel times across key economic routes.
