TRAFFIC ADVISORY
CONTRACT X.003-022-2018/1-C6
AD-HOC STRUCTURAL AND DRAINAGE SERVICES AND
EMERGENCY BRIDGE REPAIR WORKS ALONG THE N2 SECTION 16
The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has started with repairs to seven structures along the N2 National Road, Section 16 between the Nahoon Interchange and Great Kei River Bridge in the Eastern Cape.
This project traverses both the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and the Great Kei Local Municipality in the Amathole District Municipality.
The Abattoir Bridge which provides access to the East London Abattoir and Cambridge Village is scheduled to undergo repair works, where the bridge bearings will be replaced. This requires lifting of the concrete deck, removing and replacing the bearings. These bridge repairs cannot be undertaken while there is traffic movement and will require temporary road closures to the public.
The road closures are scheduled as follows:
- Saturday 9 August 2025: The road will be closed between 12h00 and 18h00. During this time the bridge will be closed for all traffic except in the case of emergency vehicles. In such cases, the lifting of the bridge will be halted to allow the emergency vehicles to pass over the bridge. Pedestrians will be allowed to cross during this time.
- Saturday 16 August 2025: The road will be closed on 16 August from 12h00 and be re-opened on 17 August 2025, at 12h00. During this time the bridge will be closed to all traffic, to allow time for the epoxy to set/or dry, before the full load of the deck is lowered onto the bearings. Pedestrians will be allowed to cross during this time.
The above repair works will be undertaken by the main Contractor, Makali Plant and Construction together with Specialist Sub-contractors, namely MBR.
It is acknowledged that the Abattoir Bridge serves as the only vehicular access to the East London Abattoir and the Cambridge Community, hence the works are being undertaken during weekends, where traffic is expected to be lower.
During the 24-hour closure, security will be placed around the bridge and along Smithfield Street for any vehicles stranded on the south side of the bridge.
In the event of any life-threatening circumstances, fire or health emergency access will be enabled as required. This might require the bearings to be repaired again with additional closures scheduled later.
It must be noted that rain and very cold weather could adversely affect the preparations and process, resulting in an unavoidable change of time and dates. These changes would be communicated to the Community directly.
Members of the public may direct any queries to the main Contractor on cell number 0725316572 and email address subcontractC6@makali.co.za.
“Motorists are requested to plan their trips accordingly, consider alternative routes and use caution when making use of the roads,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Eastern Cape Provincial Head.
SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.
– Ends –