N2 bridge closure near Amanzimtoti: Sanral promises swift repairs amid traffic chaos

Ezimbokodweni bridge on the N2 southbound partially collapses near the Joyner Rd off-ramp. SANRAL is starting repairs in the hope of reopening it to traffic by 29th November. (Photo: Zanele Buthelezi@Zanele_Shenge / X)

By Naledi Sikhakhane

8 Nov 2024

The roads agency will repair the 64-year-old Ezimbokodweni River Bridge in two phases after ‘wear and tear’ resulted in cracks. However, it expects high waters caused by the summer rains will pose a challenge to fixing the bridge.

The bridge over the Ezimbokodweni River on the N2 near Amanzimtoti, KwaZulu-Natal, was closed to motorists on Monday, 4 November, after it started to crack.

Motorists have, meanwhile, reported sitting in traffic for three hours while using alternative routes, with Deputy Transport Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa calling for patience from road users as the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) “undertakes emergency measures to repair the damaged bridge”.

Addressing the media on Thursday, Hlengwa said: “We are calling for public patience as we respond to this crisis on the N2 southbound. Sanral is doing preliminary work to assess the extent of the damage and a briefing will be given to the minister in due course.

“From the briefing I received from Sanral, there will be two sets of interventions, that will be urgently undertaken, to lift the bridge up. The assurance we want to give is that there is no structural damage to the bridge. These are ‘wear and tear’ elements which have broken down and will require replacement. Sanral’s technical team is currently assessing how quickly this can be done,” Hlengwa added

“It is the intention of Sanral to ensure that traffic flow resumes on this road within a period of three to four weeks, in time for December. In January Sanral will undertake comprehensive repairs of the damage to the bridge. This carriageway is due for an upgrade by Sanral during which further improvements will be made on this road.” Hlengwa said

Hlengwa was accompanied by a delegation from Sanral – including board chairperson Themba Mhambi; CEO Reginald Demana; chief construction operations and maintenance engineer Dumisani Nkabinde; and acting regional manager for the eastern region Dudley Mbambo – to assess the damage at the bridge.

According to a Sanral statement released on Thursday, the damage to the bridge resulted from the “failure of span four of the bridge caused by the malfunctioning of its bearings, particularly the concrete rocker bearing on the east side, and the central bearings”.

“These bearings, which support the bridge deck, are susceptible to excessive vibrations, such as seismic or earthquake loads, which can induce cracking and splitting.”

The statement further ascribes the wear and tear to the bridge’s being 64 years old. The bridge comprises six spans, with a total length of 137.16m. It carries the N2 southbound carriageway over the Ezimbokodweni River from Durban to Port Shepstone.

“Over the bridge’s 64-year lifespan, the vibrations, along with potential age-related deterioration, likely caused spalling and cracking of the concrete. The deterioration would have exacerbated the corrosion of the reinforcement within the bearings, weakening them and ultimately leading to their failure,” the statement reads

A full inspection of the remaining bearings is being undertaken as all bearings on the bridge might need to be replaced owing to their age and vulnerability.

“Challenges to the repair work include high-water levels and the ongoing wet season, which will impact access to the site. To manage this, Sanral will do the work in two phases. Phase one will involve temporary support for span four, lifting the bridge deck, installing temporary supports with rubber padding, and lowering the new temporary deck to the required road level to allow it to reopen by 13 December 2024, before the holiday season,” the statement reads

Phase two is expected to begin in January 2025, when all the bearings will be replaced to prevent future failures and to ensure the continued functionality of the bridge.

“This phase will also address critical repairs, including the restrained cracking. Work will be planned to align with Sanral’s long-term bridge upgrade plans and will be executed with temporary short-term traffic closures, either at night or on weekends.”

Regular inspections

Sanral, traffic, bridge closure Motorists were stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic as they were forced to take alternative routes following the closure of the Ezimbokodweni River Bridge on the N2 near Amanzimtoti, Durban. (Photo: Zanele Buthelezi@Zanele_Shenge / X)

Sanral, bridge The Ezimbokodweni River Bridge on the N2 southbound near the Joyner Road off-ramp, Amazimtoti, has been closed to traffic because of cracks, which Sanral has attributed to wear and tear. (Photo: Zanele Buthelezi@Zanele_Shenge / X)

Responding to questions around the safety of bridges across the country, Sanral’s Mbambo said: “We conduct regular inspections of all our structures, including bridges, as part of our bridge management system. The most recent assessments were completed in February this year for the entire country.”

He added that the Ezimbokodweni River Bridge scored 98% in its last assessment in February and that the bridge failure was due to wear and tear. Mbambo explained that the technology for bridge construction has advanced since the 1960s when concrete bearings with corroding steel bars were used, and that the steel bearings being currently used do not corrode.

“Sanral’s emergency procurement policy is being followed to appoint a competent contractor to attend to the works immediately. This section of the N2 forms part of Sanral major upgrades, with the tender for Package 2 – upgrading of the N2 from Moss Kolnik Drive to Isipingo – due to be published soon.”

The southbound carriageway of the N2 is closed and traffic accommodation has been established at the Joyner Road Interchange (Exit 146). Metro Police and Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) officers will be deployed at key intersections to direct traffic. Sanral and traffic law enforcement authorities are investigating other traffic management options.

“We recognise the inconvenience caused to road users and the public, especially as traffic has been rerouted through a residential area. We want to reassure everyone that this is a temporary inconvenience and that Sanral will move with the necessary speed,” Mbambo said.

Galleria mall in Amanzimtoti released a statement guiding customers on alternative routes. “Due to the split bridge closure, we’re here to make sure your journey remains as smooth as possible. For an alternative route to keep you moving, here’s a quick guide:

“On the N2, take Exit 149 – Prospecton R102 (east);

Turn left at the intersection, and continue along Prospecton Road (R102) for about 6.5km;

Stay on Prospecton Road as it merges onto Andrew Zondo Road; and

Turn right after Kingsway Hospital onto Moss Kolnik then turn right into Arbour Road.

“We appreciate your patience while the bridge is being assessed, and we’re here to help with any questions you have,” the mall stated

The Isolezwe traffic report noted that Joyner Road is under pressure due to cars not being able to travel over the bridge. There was also heavy traffic all day on Thursday on the N2 near Prospecton, Isipingo, owing to the closure.

Sanral has launched a designated 24-hour Call Centre at its Traffic Management Centre to address public enquiries on 033 840 8484 or 073 837 0814. DM

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