BuaNews (Tshwane)
Nthambeleni Gabara
6 November 2008
Pretoria — As part of a series of overpass bridges along the Gautrain alignment in the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, the Willow Road Bridge will be demolished next week, while Ridge Road Bridge in Muckleneuk will be opened.
According to Bombela Concession Company spokesperson, Kelebogile Machaka, Willow Road Bridge will be demolished due to its current height restriction, with traffic permanently being diverted to the new Ridge Road Bridge.
"Our Bombela Civils Joint Venture will be constructing an overpass bridge at Ridge Road in Muckleneuk, as part of a series of overpass bridges along the Gautrain alignment in Tshwane," Ms Machaka said.
She said the newly constructed bridge will serve as a link between Normaal Street and Elandspoort Road, as well as Elandspoort Road and Ridge Road.
She further said the intersection of Elandspoort Road and Ridge Road will be upgraded into a four way stop while Preller Street will be permanently closed at the intersection with Willow Road.
"Traffic will be diverted onto the new Ridge Road Bridge from 10 November 2008 and the Willow Road Bridge will be demolished on 14 November 2008," she said.
A portion of West Street in Centurion has been temporarily closed to make way for construction on the Gautrain viaduct, or concrete bridge.
The closure, meant to allow sufficient working space for the Bombela construction team, was implemented between Lenchen Avenue and Gerhard Street on 1 November. The road will only be reopened in April 2009.
A total of 81 out of 96 high-speed train coaches are being assembled at the Union Carriage and Wagon (UCW) plant in Nigel, to the east of Johannesburg.
The technologically-advanced white carriages with gold and blue stripes are being fitted with windows, side panels, floors and doors are already at an advanced stage and expected to be completed before the end of June next year, said Ms Machaka.
The cars will include a host of features to ensure passengers are transported, safely and comfortably and have been customised to meet South African requirements. The carts will be proudly and distinctly South African modern trains and not carbon copies of the London undergrounds trains.
On the other hand, the connection of Gautrain's underground two twin-track tunnels which were excavated simultaneously towards each other from Mushroom Farm Park and from Marlboro Portal was completed in September.
The actual breakthrough was achieved on 24 September, forming one continuous tunnel, just over 4 200 metres long.
Motorists are urged to take note of the new diversion and obey the traffic signals in the area during the demolishing of Willow Road Ridge.
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