In four months’ time, work will start on what is expected to be Africa’s tallest bridge, the Mtentu Bridge, which will run across the Mtentu River in Mbizana in the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Municipality, rising 223m into the Eastern Cape sky.
Introducing the contractor behind the mammoth construction project, the National Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, and officials from the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) spelt out to surrounding communities how more than R1.8-billlion of the total R4.05-billion cost had been ring-fenced for local small medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs).
SANRAL awarded the tender to the Chinese Communications Construction Company (CCCC)-MECSA joint venture, after it was cancelled in May and re-advertised for fresh bidding. Construction is expected to start in March 2023, creating 2 500 full time equivalent jobs.
“Over R1.8-billion will be expended on targeted local enterprises. This will be derived from the subcontracting to be undertaken by the main contractor on the bridge structure, as well as the construction of associated roads. Three local community access roads will be built as labour and enhanced training programmes, and the local provincial gravel road network leading from the R61 will be improved and maintained in order to allow access to the site by the many vehicles and heavy freight required for construction,” said Mbalula.
He said that residents would benefit from jobs and skills transfer through the project. He said about R141 million would be paid in salaries to local labour and SMMEs will benefit to the tune of about R1.8 billion. He added that in addition to economic benefits, the Mtentu Bridge would also bring the communities together.
The Mtentu Bridge forms part of the N2 Wild Coast Road (N2 WCR) project, which is SANRAL’s flagship project in the Eastern Cape. The N2 WCR project comprises a 410km route running from the Gonubie Interchange in East London to the Mtamvuna River on the border of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, near Port Edward.
Mbalula added that the entire N2WCR project would create approximately 8 000 direct full-time jobs, with a wage bill of around R750 million and between 21 000 and 28 000 indirect jobs.
“Mtentu is the second mega bridge on N2WCR plan and, together with the Msikaba Bridge, will form part of the 112km of new highway between Port St Johns and Port Edward. Once it is completed, about seven interchanges and various access roads will ensure a faster and safer travel experience for tourists around the Wild Coast.”
He added that he was considering a request from the Eastern Cape provincial government for the Mtentu Bridge to be named after local political legend, Khumani Anderson Ganyile.
