The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has announced that the tender process for the R1.7-billion Msikaba Bridge construction project has been reopened.
Firms able to meet the stringent technical functionality requirements - that include relevant past company experience in construction of major bridges, skilled staff, and financial stability to undertake such a large project over approximately a three-year period - have been invited to tender.
The project forms part of the N2 Wild Coast Road (N2WCR) project and is located around 23 kilometres east of Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape.
“The initial tender for the Msikaba Bridge was cancelled as no acceptable tenders were received in the original tender process,” said Sanral communications general manager, Vusi Mona. He stated that the tender process would close in March 2018.
Mona noted that construction of the bridge would begin in the second half of 2018, and together with the construction of the R1.634-billion Mtentu Bridge, was aimed at improving travel time and connectivity in the region.
Construction of the Msikaba Bridge is expected to take around 33 months.
“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 under-served by road infrastructure, the route will have significant social and economic benefits,” he said.
Mona added that the project would act as a catalyst for local and regional development.
Construction of the Mtentu Bridge is set to begin in early January and is scheduled to last approximately 40 months.
“As the Msikaba Bridge will have a construction period that is approximately seven months shorter than the nearby Mtentu Bridge, the re-tender of the Msikaba Bridge will not affect the overall completion date of the N2WCR as the two bridges will be completed within a few months of each other,” said Mona.
