By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Nelson Mandela Bridge in Johannesburg, will be closed to vehicles from 9 am on Tuesday morning until at least 3 pm on Thursday, the JMPD has announced.
Closure is due to the planned maintenance scheduled to take place by the Johannesburg Roads Agency.
“The maintenance and cleaning of the bridge will take place between Tuesday the 18th and Thursday the 20th of July 2023 from 09h00 to 15h00 and this will affect traffic travelling between Braamfontein and Newtown.”
JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said, the Nelson Mandela Bridge will be accessible to pedestrians only during this period and will be closed off to vehicular traffic at the following intersections:
- Bertha Street
- Ntemi Piliso Street and Carr Street
The closure of the bridge is likely to create traffic congestion for those wanting to access Braamfontein and the inner city centre.
Fihla added that JMPD officers would be present to assist with regulating traffic in the area.
“Motorists are urged to be patient for the duration of the closure and to use the Queen Elizabeth Bridge and the Biccard Street Bridge as alternative routes.”
The Nelson Mandela Bridge, which cost R38 million, is the largest cable-stayed bridge in southern Africa.
It is the fourth of five bridges which cross the railway lines and sidings located just west of Johannesburg
Park Station, the first being the Johan Rissik Bridge adjacent to the station.
The bridge, which is 284 metres long, 42 metres high at the north pylon and 27 metres high at the south pylon, was officially opened by Nelson Mandela himself on 20 July 2003.
The bridge links the Newtown Cultural Precinct – home to Mary Fitzgerald Square, the historic Market Theatre, Museum Africa and Gramadoelas Restaurant – with lower Braamfontein.