A joint venture (JV) of Aveng Grinaker-LTA and Strabag has been awarded a ZAR1.63bn ($125m) contract by the South African National Roads Agency SOC (SANRAL) for the construction of Mtentu bridge in South Africa.
Construction of the 1.1 km long bridge, which forms part of the N2 Wild Coast road (N2WC) project, is expected to begin in early November 2017. The project is likely to be completed in 40 months.
Touted to be the longest main span balanced cantilever bridges in the world, the Mtentu bridge will reach heights of approximately 220m.
SANRAL said that building of the Mtentu bridge and the overall greenfields portion of the N2WC road project will play a vital role in improving travel time, connecting previously divided communities in the region and opening up opportunities in business and community-based tourism for the Wild Coast.
SANRAL communications manager Vusi Mona said: “The tender, valued at R1.634 billion (incl. VAT), has been awarded to the Aveng Strabag Joint Venture (JV).
“By improving the travel time between Durban and East London by up to three hours for heavy freight and by providing a high mobility route through an area that is extremely isolated and underserved by road infrastructure, the route will have significant social and economic benefits and will act as a catalyst for local and regional development.”
SANRAL said that the project will create 8,000 full time equivalent jobs over the construction period of four to five years.
