Constructing the Msikaba Bridge, which is a cable-stayed steel deck component of the N2 Wild Coast road project in South Africa, will require an investment of R1.72 billion.
The bridge extends over the Msikaba River, close to Lusikisiki, with the aim of substantially cutting down travel durations for large cargo vehicles commuting between KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. After it’s finished, the journey between Durban and East London will be about 80km shorter, negating the necessity of inland travel through Kokstad.
Mbulelo Peterson, the regional manager for the southern region of SANRAL, mentioned that the bridge will rise to a height of 195 meters, featuring pylons that stand 128 meters tall, thus ranking as the third tallest on the continent. Its span will stretch across 580 meters.
The bridge Is a component of Sanral’s N2 Wild Coast Road project, which involves the enhancement of a 410km road segment from East London to the Mtamvuna River at the border of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, as quoted by Peterson in the Sunday Times.
Back in June 2022, then-transport minister Fikile Mbalula shared images of the bridge’s ongoing construction, noting its steady progress. He also stated, “The Msikaba Bridge will promote investment and economic growth, create new sectors, and revolutionize the connectivity between rural communities and urban centers throughout the country.”
Completion date for the Msikaba Bridge project
Scheduled for completion in 2025, the project is slated to appear in National Geographic’s “Building Impossible with Daniel Ashville.”
“The project will continue to generate numerous employment opportunities in alignment with the new Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan,” stated Peterson. He noted that the construction of the bridge is projected to generate approximately 8,000 full-time positions, with a wage expense of roughly R750 million.
Additionally, it is anticipated that between 21,300 and 28,100 indirect jobs will be created. Following completion, the ongoing operational tasks related to the bridge are expected to lead to the establishment of 900 direct jobs and up to 18,900 indirect jobs.
The development of the Msikaba Bridge and the N2 Wild Coast road project could offer benefits to commuters and residents in the coastal region spanning from Port St Johns to Port Edward.
Also read Installation of pylon spires on South Africa’s Msikaba Bridge well underway
