City To Repair Marine Drive Link Bridge Over Fw De Klerk Boulevard

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The City of Cape Town’s Transport and Urban Development Authority will spend approximately R3,6 million on the much needed rehabilitation of the Marine Drive link bridge over FW de Klerk Boulevard in Woodstock.

The most important remedial work entails replacing the existing damaged balustrades as well as addressing other deterioration that has occurred over the years. The project will commence within the next two weeks and is scheduled to continue for five months, pending any unforeseen challenges or delays.
The work entails the following:
  • Coating the sides of the bridge to prevent further chloride ingress, and also for aesthetic purposes
  • Repairing the map or pattern cracking at the abutments
  • Repairing the soil erosion at the abutments
  • Addressing other concrete deterioration, such as cracks and spalls
  • Replacing the road surface where necessary
  • Replacing the asphaltic plug expansion joints (Thormajoints)
  • Replacing the existing balustrade with a New Jersey-type balustrade
Motorists should please note that a number of roads will be affected during the repair work, including FW de Klerk Boulevard and Woodstock and Marine Drives. This may affect road users in Paarden Eiland and the Cape Town city centre. Given that Marine Drive bridge is the main feeder route across FW de Klerk Boulevard, suburbs on the north Atlantic Seaboard will also be affected, i.e. Milnerton, Table View, Bloubergstrand, Parklands and Melkbosstrand.
 
‘The bridge is an important link for commuters proceeding along Marine Drive from Bloubergstrand and Parklands towards the city bowl. Also, it is an important link to the container terminal in the harbour for heavy container trucks driving westbound along Table Bay Boulevard (N1). Given the importance of the link, the substantial traffic flow over the bridge, and the deterioration of the bridge structure over the years, the repair work cannot be avoided or delayed,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Area North, Councillor Suzette Little.
Due to the construction activities, traffic will be affected on FW de Klerk Boulevard when passing under the Marine Drive Bridge, and there might be some backup on the off-ramps to the bridge due to throttling traffic on the bridge.
 
Marine Drive traffic approaching the bridge will experience some backup, including at the intersection of the east- and westbound lanes from Marine Drive to FW de Klerk Boulevard.
 
Safety and access structures will be secured on either side of the bridge to provide access for the contractor and adequately protect traffic moving under the bridge.
 
‘We do not foresee any road closures or stop/go systems. However, deviations down to two lanes or even one lane may be required while the contractor is erecting gantries, but this will be done during off-peak hours. The objective will be to limit the disruption of traffic and inconvenience as far as possible,’ said Councillor Little.
 
Lanes on FW de Klerk Boulevard will be regulated in accordance with the standard specifications governing such activities on national roads. This will only be done during a short window period when the scaffold is being erected.
 
‘We thank motorists in advance for their patience during this period. The repaired bridge will have stronger and safer balustrades and public safety will be much improved,’ said Councillor Little.