Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Ismail Vadi has officially open the refurbished N12 Bridge near Eldorado Park after it was structurally damaged when a truck carrying cargo exceeding the permissible height restrictions hit its top structure in 2015.

Commonly known as The ‘Kliptown bridge’ to local residents, the bridge was constructed in the 1960s and served as a critical link between Kliptown, Eldorado Park, Nancefield Industrial and the nearby informal settlement.

The severe damage caused by the truck led to the closure of the bridge as it posed serious risk to motorists and pedestrians. This negatively affected local businesses as traffic had to be diverted.

Speaking at the event Vadi called on freight trucks to abide by the load and height restrictions as well as set speed limits.

“The damage to this bridge is another example of how overloading of freight trucks and disregard for height restrictions continue to cause untold damage to our road infrastructure,” said Vadi.

The R10 million rehabilitation project is envisioned to benefit non-motorised transport users with the reinstatement of walkways along the bridge as well as local industries who will once again be able to use the road to transport their wares to and from their premises.

Vadi called on all motorists, especially drivers and owners linked to the freight industry, to respect the rules of the road at all times as this not only damages road infrastructure but poses a serious risk to other road users.