Although the Mangaung Metro Municipality as well as the main contractor, Raubex, are tight lipped about the much anticipated opening of the recently constructed road and bridge connecting Bloemfontein’s southern suburbs with, amongst others, the Hamilton industrial area, there is great excitement amongst residents in the area.
In an interview with Bloemfontein Courant late last year Raubex said that the road would be opened for traffic before the contractual completion date of May 2022.
When Bloemfontein Courant visited the construction site this week, they found that the road leading up to and going over the bridge in Vereeniging Drive already had lines painted on it and that the road that runs underneath the bridge in Monument Road has been functional for a while now.
Kgosi Motsepe, who lives in Fauna, says he is looking forward to the opening of the new bridge. “I don’t think I speak just for myself, I think I speak for the people of the South who will be using the bridge often. I’m grateful that the municipality is finally getting it done,” he said. “I just hope that the good work that is being done with the bridge will continue down to Monument Road and Church Street and that the burden motorists have been facing with potholes on those roads will finally be relieved as well. This is a big win for the South as a lot of people will make use of that road and the bridge.”
On the other hand, George McLeod, who lives in Uitsig, says he will not make use of the bridge, as he does not trust that the people working on it know what they are doing. “It is said that the bridge is meant for transport such as busses and I will first have to wait and see if the bridge will hold such heavy loads on a daily basis. I will give it about three months before I make use of it. Some of the roads in Bloem are in horrible conditions because the work is not being done properly.”
Shaunese van der Merwe, who also lives Uitsig, says she lives very close to the new bridge. “I must say, the construction of the bridge has been quite a hassle for people making use of the road. The traffic in the morning and afternoons has been a nightmare. I can’t wait for it to be done as it will save people a lot of travel time and it will make places like the Traffic Department and Home Affairs easily accessible again,” she says.
“I think the bridge is the best thing anyone has ever thought of. I use the road every day and had to make use of the detour to go to work. It’s going to make such a big difference, especially with traffic. I can’t wait for it to open. It’s going to save me so much time,” says Yvonne Boshoff, who lives Fichardt Park.
Boikanyo Ngakatau, who lives in Pellissier, says it felt like the construction of the bridge took very long, as it was an inconvenience to use the detour. “The project is actually long overdue. The bridge just makes sense and it will help with the flow of traffic. I will definitely make use of the bridge as I go to the township often and I can’t wait for it to be fully functional.”
Bloemfontein Courant sent an enquiry to the Mangaung Metro Municipality and the construction company for comment regarding the official opening of the bridge, but both had not provided comment by the time of print.
Justine Fortuin
