WALKING AND CYCLING BRIDGE OVER M1 IS OPEN FOR THE PUBLIC TO USE
18 May 2018

The walking and cycling bridge over the M1 is open for use. Residents who walk or cycle between Alexandra, Wynberg, Sandown and the Sandton CBD are now able to walk safety and easily across the new bridge located adjacent to the Grayston off-ramp.

“This is a historic milestone for the City of Johannesburg”, said MMC of Transport in Johannesburg, MMC Nonhlanhla Helen Makhuba.

“This iconic bridge has not only brought safety and dignity to the residents of these areas, but symbolizes our commitment to build bridges and connect communities”, she added.

The City of Johannesburg agreed to build this bridge after establishing that over 10 000 people walk across the Grayston off ramp each day – in a situation which was neither safe nor quick. It was funded by the national government’s Public Transport Network Grant and is part of the roll out of the Rea Vaya project committed to bringing high quality public transport that is safe, affordable and reliable to the people of Johannesburg.

The bridge which cost R147 million rand took three years to build by the Johannesburg Development Agency. Over this period, 26 jobs were created and 4 local SMME’s were involved in various parts of the project. The state of the art design was the work of Royal Haskoning DHV Consulting Engineers. The contractor was Murray and Roberts and then Concor Civils after Murray and Robert’s sold their construction business.

The construction of the bridge suffered two tragedies. On 14th October 2015, the scaffolding erected to construct the bridge collapsed leading to the tragic loss of two lives of Jason Perumal and Siyabonga Myeni and other 18 people were injured. The Department of Labour inquiry is still ongoing and the City remains committed to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

On 30 November 2017, one of the employees of Concor Civils, Enoch Maphunye, fatally fell down from a working platform while working on the bridge Pylon. This incident was investigated by the Department of Labour and no negligence was discovered on the side of Concor Civils.

Later this year, when the naming process for the bridge is complete, the City will formally launch the bridge. The proposed name of the bridge is Kopanang Bridge, since “Kopanang” means where people meet and we want the bridge to represent the coming together of communities.

The completion of this bridge follows the completion of a walking and public transport bridge at Marlboro as well as the upgrading of the bridge along Katherine Drive over the Zandspruit River and the upgrading of sidewalks in Alexandra and the Sandton CBD. The proposed name for the Marlboro Bridge is “Basebetsi Bridge”.

“We are committed to improve the lives of our people, particularly the poor and the City will continue to invest in high quality infrastructure that not only makes it easier and safer to move around the City but also creates sustainable jobs and income opportunities for local communities”, said MMC Makhuba.

“I would like to thank all those involved in making the construction of the bridge possible and road users for their patience during the construction period,” concluded MMC Makhuba.

For information on walking and cycling bridge, please contact:

Mr. Benny Makgoga, Director: Service Promotions Department of Transport
Tel (011) 870 - 4612
Cell: 071 381 2819

OR

Ms. Tebogo Mogashoa, Assistant Director: Office of the MMC of Transport
Tel: (011) 298 – 5269
Cell: 072 631 3783