New N17 pedestrian bridges

N17 - Sibongile Sibiya, ward committee member, at Mkhancwa informal settlement in the Springs/Brakpan area in the East Rand.

Three new pedestrian bridges constructed on the N17 between Springs and Johannesburg promise to reduce the risk of pedestrians and cyclists being run over by cars when crossing the busy highway.

The bridges were constructed by the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) at an investment of R90.8 million.

The 82.4m-long Ergo pedestrian bridge in the Springs/Brakpan area crosses the N17 at an angle. It consists of prestressed variable section concrete girders with main spans of 42m. It is supported on two variable section Y-shaped reinforced concrete columns founded on reinforced concrete piles. Stone pitching beneath the bridge is aimed at preventing people from making fires which would cause the bridge to deteriorate.

Two bridges are in the Springs/Brakpan area, on the East Rand, and the third is in Regents Park, Johannesburg. Completed in August, they are a welcome relief for residents.

Sibongile Sibiya, ward committee member at Mkhancwa informal settlement in the Springs/Brakpan area, said: "The bridge changed our lives. Before the pedestrian bridge was constructed, we were facing multiple deaths."

N17 - Regents Park Pedestrian Bridge: This self-anchored suspension bridge has a 7.4m clearance above the N17. It has a main span of 57m with a reinforced concrete deck suspended from stress-bars.

The bridges have rest points for elderly and disabled persons, and concrete bollards to prevent cars from driving on them.

SANRAL's mandate is not only about building and maintaining the national road network. "Ensuring our roads are safely engineered for all road users is an important part of our work," says SANRAL project manager Tshidi Lethale.

N17 - Kwa-Thema Pedestrian Bridge: Its 6.3m clearance is above the standard of 6m. It consists of prestressed variable section concrete girders with main spans of 37m. It is supported on two variable section Y-shaped reinforced concrete columns founded on reinforced concrete piles.

Lethale explains that pedestrians are the most vulnerable road users. "That is why we make a concerted effort to ensure that pedestrians and cyclists are considered in the planning, design and implementation of road infrastructure."