Name of the Project
N2 Wild Coast Toll Road (N2WCTR) megabridges project.
Location
The bridges will be built over the Msikaba river gorge, in Xolobeni, and the Mtentu river, near Lusikisiki, in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province.
Client
South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral).
Project Description
The Msikaba and Mtentu bridges form the backbone of the greenfields portion of the N2WCTR project – one of government’s 18 Strategic Integrated Projects. The greenfield section of the N2WCTR extends from Port Edward, in KwaZulu-Natal, to Port St Johns, in the Eastern Cape. This section is a new road and, without the bridges, will not be able to be completed.
The 1.13-km-long Mtentu bridge will be one of the longest main-span-balanced cantilever bridges in the world. Reaching heights of about 220 m, it will secure the title as the highest bridge in Southern Africa with its 217 m deck height.
The 580-m-long Msikaba bridge will be the longest-span cable-stayed suspension bridge in South Africa, and possibly Africa.
The cable-stayed design will ensure that the construction of the bridge will have no direct impact on the gorge environment 200 m below, which is one of the environmental requirements in building the bridge.
Pedestrian sidewalks and view sites, which will provide special viewing points for tourists, will be built on either side of the bridges.
Potential Job Creation
Semiskilled and unskilled labour will be sourced locally.
Value
The Mtentu bridge will cost R1.634-billion. The Msikaba bridge tender has not been awarded yet.
Duration
Construction of the Mtentu bridge will start in November and is scheduled to take about 40 months.
Latest Developments
Sanral has reopened the tender process for the construction of the Msikaba bridge, in the Eastern Cape.
The previous tender was cancelled, as no acceptable tenders were received.
“The retendering process is now open and we are confident that this round . . . will be successful,” Sanral communications manager Vusi Mona has said.
The tender process for the 580 m bridge will close in March 2018. Construction is expected to start in the second half of 2018 and will be completed within about 33 months.
Sanral has invited all firms or consortiums that have relevant experience in the construction of major bridges, particularly cable stay bridges, and that have experienced staff and the financial stability to undertake the three-year contract, to participate in the tender.
To participate, firms must have a broad-based black economic-empowerment scorecard of Level 4 or higher.
Key Contracts and Suppliers
Aveng Strabag joint venture (Mtentu bridge).
On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.
Contact Details for Project Information
Sanral bridge network manager Edwin Kruger, tel +27 12 844 8038 or email krugere@nra.co.za.