Construction & Engineering News South Africa

R12m Jakalasi Bridge in Olievenhoutbosch now open

McCormick Property Development (MPD) has completed the Jakalasi Bridge in Olievenhoutbosch, Gauteng. The 85m-long multi-cell culvert bridge is an extension to Jakalasi Street, which crosses the Blue Hills Spruit. It will provide access to the existing Olievenhout Plaza and was built as part of the service level agreements with the City of Tshwane. In the future it will link directly with the planned K route once Jakalasi Street is closed.
New Jakalasi Bridge in Olievenhoutbosch, Gauteng
New Jakalasi Bridge in Olievenhoutbosch, Gauteng

The project commenced in January of this year and saw total job creation of 116 positions including general labour, concrete and form work, plumbing, paving and electricians. The total cost of the project was over R12m.

The bridge was constructed on 64 piles (5,4m and 7,3m deep) supported on concrete ground beams. 150 concrete culverts, weighing approximately 4.9 tonnes each, were then placed on the ground beams followed by the concrete layer, the roadworks layers and asphalt.

“We would like to thank the PRS, ZMTA and ARMSTA taxi associations for their support and patience throughout the duration of this project,” says MD of McCormick Property Development Jason McCormick. “The community of Olivenhoutbosch also need to be acknowledged for their understanding as the road closures resulted in some inconvenience for them.”

The bridge was officially opened on Thursday, 18 July, and will provide a much more accessible and improved route for all road users between Olievenhoutbosch Township and Olievenhout Plaza as well as the R55 and beyond.

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