South Africa bridge project restarting

Work on a key South African bridge project is now restarting.
By MJ Woof June 16, 2020 Read time: 2 mins
Construction of the Msikaba bridge in South Africa’s Eastern Cape was originally expected to take 33 months to complete – image courtesy © Ingo Menhard, Dreamstime.com

Construction work on the Msikaba Bridge project in South Africa has now recommenced. Work had previously stalled on the bridge, located in the Eastern Cape, due to the Corona Virus pandemic.

However, social distancing measures have now been introduced to protect personnel so construction is once more underway. The foundations are being built first for the bridge, which will feature towers 127m in height and a central span of 580m.

The Msikaba Bridge will be South Africa’s longest cable-stayed type structure once complete. However, the Maputo-Catembe Bridge in Mozambique is designed with a central span of 680m, making it the longest in Africa. The gorge is 195m deep, making the bridge one of the highest in the world.

The project is costing US$111.7 million and the bridge will span the Msikaba Gorge, close to the town of Lusikisiki. The work is being carried out jointly the local subsidiary of Portuguese contractor Mota-Engil Construction and the South African firm Concor Infrastructure.

Construction of the bridge is forming part of the N2 Wild Coast Toll Road project being handled by the South African National Roads Agency. Construction of the toll road is intended to help develop the area economically.

Also being built as part of the N2 Wild Coast Toll Road project is the Mtentu Bridge. Once the new route is complete, it will cut the driving distance by some 85km.

Road Structures

Related Content

  • The world’s longest suspension bridge
    June 24, 2024
    The world’s longest suspension bridge is the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge in Turkey. This engineering marvel links Gelibolu with Lapseki, forming a key section of the 101km highway linking Malkara with Çanakkale. *Article produced in partnership with the General Directorate of Highways (KGM), Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Republic of Türkiye.
    Read More
  • South Africa bridge projects due
    May 26, 2017
    Plans are in hand for the construction of two new bridges in South Africa, which are expected to cost around US$113.4 million. These new structures will form part of the N2 Wild Coast Toll Road (N2WCTR) project. Construction is expected to commence in the period from August-October 2017. The bridge projects are being managed by the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL), which is handling the tender process. The bidders include several joint ventures that comprise both South African and international
    Read More
  • Mozambique’ new bridge opens to traffic
    November 14, 2018
    Mozambique’s new suspension bridge connecting Maputo with Catembe is now open to traffic. The suspension bridge is the longest of its type in Africa, measuring almost 3km-long and surpassing the previous holder of this accolade, the Mapati Bridge in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The new bridge spans Maputo Bay and forms part of a new highway connection running from Mozambique’s capital, Maputo, all the way to the border with South Africa. The route will be of major benefit for Mozambique, helping to boo
    Read More
  • Mozambique bridge due to open
    May 11, 2018
    Mozambique’s Maputo-Catembe Bridge is due to open shortly and will become Africa’s longest suspension bridge. The 3km bridge will form part of the road connection between Maputo, Mozambique’s capital, and Catembe. The bridge is costing over US$700 million, with much of the necessary funding being provided by the Export Import Bank of China. The new bridge will improve transport and reduce journey times for drivers, who currently have to rely on ferries travelling between Maputo and Catembe.
    Read More

Highlighted Content