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Original report, 28 September 2016, 1.29pm
The Belgrave bridge has been widely discussed as it is believed to be unsafe and remains a contentious issue among drivers and authorities in the Sandton area.
In the Sandton Chronicle article, Another one bites the dust, Week ending 12 August, it was reported that a car veered off the bridge into the Braamfontein Spruit that runs alongside the bridge.
It appears that the City of Johannesburg has noted the risk attached to driving across this bridge as a temporary closure of Belgrave bridge was announced on 16 September.
Read also: Belgrave Road affected by rain
In a letter from Joseph Modisaotsile, manager at Road Assets Management Systems (Rams), to the depot manager of Region E, this closure was discussed. Modisaotsile wrote, “DEC Consulting Engineers has inspected Belgrave Street bridge and advised the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) that the bridge is unsafe for continuous use by the public. “They recommend that the bridge be closed with immediate effect to ensure the safety of the public.”
He stressed in the letter that Rams is instructing the aforementioned depot to implement the temporary closure of the Belgrave bridge between River Road and Brooke Avenue. “Temporary road warning signs and barricades – in accordance with the South African Road Traffic Signs manual – must be provided and the depot can contact Mr JP Nortjie of the traffic engineering department to assist them in the identification and placement of the signage and barricades.”
He explained that the expected duration of the closure is unknown at the moment and said the depot will be updated as the department obtains more information with regards to the planned remedial work. “The marketing department will be requested to inform the public of the temporary bridge closure.”
To his mind, the closure is an ’emergency’ that should be dealt with immediately.
