Nelson Mandela Bridge
The
Nelson Mandela Bridge is a landmark gateway into Newtown. The 295 metre
long, cable-stayed bridge can accommodate over 3 000 vehicles per hour.
In order to cater for the walking visitor, the bridge has pedestrian
walkways and when lit, provides a spectacular new element to the Joburg
skyline.
The bridge spans the main Braamfontein railway yards, forming part of
the new link joining Braamfontein in the north and Newtown in the
south. The former state president Nelson Mandela officially opened the
bridge on 20 July 2003, two days after his 85th birthday.
LAUNCH OF THE BRIDGE
- The total cost of the bridge is R120-million and construction took 18 months, after an international design competition.
- It is the longest cable-stayed bridge in Southern Africa (295 metres long)
- The bridge was implemented under the guidance of South African
National Roads Agency, Goba Moahlodi-Keeve Steyn Inc were the
consulting engineers.
- The main contractor for the bridge was LBA Consortium, a
consortium between Grinaker-LTA, BCW joint venture and the Nelson
Mandela Bridge Consultants Consortium.
- Bridge was launched with a festival of running - Blue IQ
Joburg City Challenge consisting of a 21km half marathon, 10km road
race, 5km fun run, 4OOm race for children and a celebrity race.
M1/CARR STREET INTERCHANGE
The on/off ramps have greatly improve access to Newtown from the south,
east and west of Joburg. Previously, one would have had to use the
off-ramp at Smit Street to gain access to Newtown. With the new
interchange, northbound traffic can gain easier access and exit into
Newtown. This improves the link to other important tourist destinations
in Soweto, Gold Reef City and the west of Joburg.
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