Steel Bridge project 45% complete

GA-MALEKANE

Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL) is making significant progress with the Steel Bridge project. This collaborative effort with eight mining companies in the Sekhukhune has reached a commendable 45% completion stage.

On Monday, April 29, RAL spokesperson Danny Legodi said, ” Accelerated construction is expected now that the team onsite has successfully navigated past the water from the river flowing beneath the bridge.He said the pace of construction of the bridge is impressive.

The mining companies, in partnership with  RAL, launched the start of the construction of the new steel bridge on the D2219 and rehabilitation of the old single-lane one, back in June 2023.
In February 2023, Limpopo MEC for public works, roads and infrastructure, Nkakareng Rakgoale, spearheaded the sod-turning ceremony of the steel bridge over the Steelpoort River at Ga-Malekane back then, she said it has been a long process of negotiations since the start of discussions with the mining companies.

“As government, we are excited about the collaboration that has now come to fruition. We call upon all our stakeholders to co-operate, because should this implementation be delayed, there will be a need for additional funding, which might end up stalling the project,” she said during the sod turning ceremony.


RAL’s chairperson, Matome Ralebipi, said service delivery is not a prerogative of the government alone. “We need the private sector to contribute in this regard.” He said the mines’ partnership is highly appreciated, as it will go a long way to uplift the Sekhukhune District’s economy.

The steel bridge has become a landmark for the people of Ga-Malekane, and is currently 99 years old. The recent evaluations of the bridge’s structural integrity found it would remain strong for at least the next 10 years.

The eight mines that contributed R127m to the steel bridge project are Dwarsrivier Chrome Mine, Rakhoma Mining Resources, Glencore, Rustenburg Platinum, Samancor Chrome Mine, Booysendal Platinum, Tjate Platinum and Two Rivers Platinum.