2014 Steel Awards Bridge Category winner – Tugela River Pedestrian Bridge (KwaJolwayo)

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All weather access

The Tugela River Pedestrian Bridge in KwaJolwayo, Kwazulu Natal has enabled people of surrounding communities to cross to the other side of the river bank at all times and access various services.

The 2014 Winner in the Bridge Category,Tugela River Pedestrian Bridge (KwaJolwayo,) demonstrates the difference which imaginative engineering can bring to community development

Just how did the project team translate a riveting design into a functional facility?

First to be constructed were grouted rock anchors, reinforced concrete piers, rock anchors and abutments. Final erection of the steel components by the rigging subcontractor was carried out over a period of four weeks.

Ultimately, the Tugela River Pedestrian Bridge has given surrounding communities improved all weather access to the opposite bank, hitherto problematic.

The project brought economic benefits to surrounding communities. During construction labour was sourced from the local community.

Spellbound, the Judges could not hesitate in conferring the Tugela River Bridge with the Bridge Category Winner accolade.Their justification was: “It merits an award in view of its portrayal of the benefits that technical solutions and efficient design structural steel can bring to rural communities faced with dangerous natural barriers which adversely affect their everyday lives.”

Project Team

Developer/ Owner:KZN Department of Transport

Structural Engineer: GDB Engineers

Project Manager:Nankhoo Engineers

Main Contractor: TBA Construction

Steelwork Contractor/s: Steelcon

Rigging: Fergus Upfold