The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) has announced its plans to refurbish Port Elizabeth’s landmark Shark Rock Pier.

The refurbishment project started shortly after the Splash Festival ended on 7 April 2015. The upgrade which is expected to cost R2 million will see the following maintenance and enhancements:

• Reinforced concrete of the deck slab and deck edge
• Reinforced concrete upstand beams
• Hand rails and deck sleepers
• Miscellaneous items such as: electrical, water and paving

For the health and safety of the public, the pier will be closed for the duration of the project which is expected to take approximately 14 weeks, with the completion date around the end of July 2015.

“As far back as many of us can remember the Shark Rock Pier has always been around as an ever-fixed mark that bestrides our beautiful southern beaches,”the municipality said in a statement issied to the public.

“It is a landmark icon that complements our vibrant coastline and plays a noteworthy part in the memories of many local residents,” it added.

The Sharkrock Pier is a 137m long structure that offers amazing panoramic views of the ocean. The structure also serves as a great tourist attraction for visitors.

“It brings great joy and a strong sense of pride to the city, knowing that the pier is such an important historic and leisure icon, and knowing that Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has the capability to maintain and upgrade it,” the municipality concluded.