The maintenance work on the Tsitsikamma suspension bridge has been completed and it is officially open to visitors again.
Following its closure on January 12 this year, the bridge underwent two months of maintenance work, where the draw plates and stainless steel were replaced, the rust was removed and the suspension cable recoated, and the fenced netting was fastened and the anchors were refurbished.
The suspension bridge was officially opened to visitors on March 12, following the completion of maintenance work.
“The maintenance work on the bridge is done regularly every five years and it costs us about R300 000 to finish this project,” says Garden Route National Parks Tsitsikamma section technical manager Andre Petersen.
The suspension bridge is located between the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape and is popular among visitors. Its shaky, yet concrete, structure over the Indian Ocean allows visitors to experience a bit of the cultural heritage history of the park and it overlooks a variety of indigenous forests and rivers in the area.
The bridge was constructed in 1969 and is about 77 m long. Two additional bridges were constructed in 2006 to complement the bridge.
Having received a R17-million boost from the Expanded Public Infrastructure Programme to upgrade existing infrastructure last June, Petersen says that the bridge maintenance was not linked to this project.
The R17-million upgrade of existing infrastructure includes 17 oceanettes overlooking the marine area, the administration office in Storms river and paving and roadworks for the Otter camp, as well as the replacement of the entrance to Storms river.
Petersen points out that upgrades for this infrastructure is currently under way. These upgrades will be done over the next three years.