TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Routine road maintenance on CH Mitchell Bridge will result in intermittent closure of R61
Port Edward, 29 January 2024 – The CH Mitchell Bridge across the Mtamvuna River at the Wild Coast Casino on the R61 will be closed daily up to two hours at a time during the month of February 2024, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.
“Intermittent full closures of the CH Mitchell Bridge will take place from 6 February 2024 on the R61. The north and south bound traffic will be unable to cross the bridge at the said times. The planned closures are necessary for the replacement of bridge supports and structural element refurbishment and replacement of the bridge,” said Siphesihle Mthembu, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.
The intermittent full road closures are proposed to take place as follows:
06 February 2024
12h00 to 14h00 – Bridge support replacement and structural element replacement.
09 February 2024
12h00 to 14h00 – Bridge support replacement.
22 February 2024
12h00 to 14h00 – Bridge structural element replacement.
26 February 2024
12h00 to 14h00 – Bridge support replacement.
There are no immediate alternative routes for these scheduled road closures and road users are requested to plan their trips for the stated disruption.
“The local traffic accommodation team, with the assistance of the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) will manage the process. Information boards on both sides of the bridge, confirming the closure times, will be erected for early notification,” said Mthembu.
The closure dates and times may need to be adjusted depending on weather conditions leading up to the proposed closure. SANRAL will keep the travelling public updated on the progress and changes to the abovementioned dates and times through further media statements.
“SANRAL apologises to the motoring public for any inconvenience caused during the road closure. This is an unavoidable consequence of the maintenance work that is essential. We have attempted to minimise disruptions as far as possible and have restricted closures to hours when traffic is at its lowest volume,” said Mthembu.
Motorists are urged to be patient during the bridge closures, plan and adjust their route trips ahead of time and to adhere to signage and speed limits.