The Msikaba Bridge is a cable-stayed steel deck bridge, currently under construction, spanning the Msikaba River, near Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The Msikaba Bridge forms part of the N2 Wild Coast road (N2WC) project, which aims to improve the travel time between Durban and East London for heavy freight vehicles.[2]
Msikaba Bridge | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 31°17′45.07″S 29°47′35.74″E / 31.2958528°S 29.7932611°E |
| Carries |  National Route 2 |
| Crosses | Msikaba River |
| Locale | Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Cable-stayed steel deck |
| History | |
| Construction cost | R1.65 billion[1] |
| Opened | Expected End of 2025 [2] |
| Inaugurated | November 2017 |
| Location | |
 | |
The making of this epic bridge was shown in the National Geographic show "Building Impossible With Daniel Ashville" in Episode 2 of Season 1.[3]
Bridge design
editDesigned by the Danish firm Dissing+Weitling, the bridge when complete will have a main span of 580m supported from a pair of 127m-tall pylons. The deck will be 194m above the valley floor, making it the third highest bridge in Africa.[4]
Contract award
editIn 2017 the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) awarded the tender for the bridge's construction to the Concor Mota-Engil Joint Venture (CMEJV), which comprises Concor, a South African-based construction company, and Mota-Engil, a Portuguese construction company at a cost of US$118 million.[5]
Construction timeline
editIt is estimated that 28 000 cubic metres of concrete, 2 700 tons of structural steel and 2 500 tons of cables will be needed during construction. The balance of works contained in the contract which includes construction of 1,5 km of approach roadworks on either side of the bridge. Expressed in quantities, this will include 650,000 m³ of bulk earthworks of which 430,000 m³ is hard rock, a conventional three span bridge and four in-situ concrete culverts crossing some of the tributaries.[6][7][4][8] A temporary gondola lift system will reduce travel time between opposite sides of the bridge during construction.[9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Mtentu bridge to cost Sanral R1.65bn". Retrieved 6 January 2018.
- ^ a b "A look at South Africa's new mega bridge – under construction in the Eastern Cape". Retrieved 20 August 2023.
- ^ Channel, National Geographic. "Building Impossible with Daniel Ashville Microsite". www.natgeotv.com. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
- ^ a b Venter, Irma. "Work resumes on N2 Msikaba bridge project". www.engineeringnews.co.za.
- ^ https://businesstech.co.za/news/business/743953/r5-8-billion-mega-bridges-for-south-africa-taking-shape/
- ^ Shem Oirere. "Msikaba Span Contract Let By South Africa Road Agency | 2018-10-17 | Engineering News-Record". Enr.com. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
- ^ "Construction of Msikaba Bridge resumes - Bridge Design & Engineering (Bd & e)". www.bridgeweb.com. 26 May 2020.
- ^ "Progress being made on South Africa's R1.6 billion mega-bridge".
- ^ Arnoldi, Marleny (6 July 201). "Sanral to install cable car for staff at Msikaba". Engineering News. Creamer Media. Retrieved 17 August 2021.