07 Feb 2021

The Mohembo bridge project is said to be on the right track, despite recent heavy rain and some COVID-19 challenges.

Speaking in an interview, project consultant, Mr Kobamelo Kgoboko, said they were happy with the progress adding that the bridge was envisaged to be complete by end of July.

He said many components of the bridge had so far been done, while installation of bridge segments that connected the space between two sides of the river would be completed by end of March.

Mr Kgoboko also noted that four pieces completing one of the most outstanding features of the Mohembo bridge, being elephant tusks, were soon to be installed.

He added that high-intensity lighting devices or aircraft warning lights would also soon be attached to the bridge structure as a collision avoidance measure.

Nonetheless, Mr Kgoboko noted that the project encountered some delays last year due to the flooding of Mohembo river.

He also said due to COVID-19, some special skills and materials procured from abroad, caused some delays.

Meanwhile, the main items of the Mohembo bridge project encompassed construction of the 400-meter-long cable-stayed bridge over the main channel, a 761 metre of steel girder bridge with concrete slab and construction of pedestrian walkways.

The project also comprised electrical installation and reticulation over the bridge, construction of about 3km approach road to bitumen standard and associated stormwater drainage works.

The final works will include electrical installation and reticulation to the 1.161 km long bridge and street lighting along the 3km approach roads. ENDS