Good news for road-users. The N7 bridge in the vicinity of Acacia Park has been reopened for normal two-way traffic i.e. using both the the southbound and the northbound carriageways. The bridge, which belongs to Spoornet, was damaged by a fire in an informal settlement under the bridge in the early hours of Monday morning 2 October 2006.

The consultants appointed by Spoornet to assess the damage to the bridge as a result of the fire, carried out tests on the bridge and have informed the City that the bridge can safely support two lanes of traffic on the northbound carriageway (i.e. the existing lanes), but that the shoulders over the damaged spans must be barriered off to prevent heavy vehicles from stopping there.

The temporary barriers and deviation is being dismantled this morning and traffic will once more be able to flow in both directions, as it did prior to the fire.

The consultants have also indicated that remedial work will be required to the underside of the bridge, which will require the road to be closed for short periods in the future. The existing deviation, incorporating the median cross-overs, will then have to be brought back into use.

The City regrets any inconvenience caused and wishes to thank all road-users for their understanding and patience during the period that the bridge was closed or partially open.

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Issued by:
Directorate: Communication and Marketing
City of Cape Town
Tel: 021 400 2201
Fax: 021 957 0023

Media queries:
Charles Cooper
Media Liaison
City of Cape Town
Tel: 021 400 3719