Nelson Mandela Bridge will be a no-go zone for the next two days after the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) announced the bridge’s temporary closure.
JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla cautioned motorists about this planned initiative which coincides with Mandela Day, an annual global celebration observed to honour the legacy of South Africa’s first black President, Nelson Mandela.
“Motorists are advised to be aware of the planned temporary closure of the Nelson Mandela Bridge in Braamfontein for maintenance purposes by the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA),” he said.
He added that the maintenance and cleaning of the bridge will take place between Tuesday the 18th and Thursday the 20th of July 2023 from 09h00 to 15h00 and this will affect traffic travelling between Braamfontein and Newtown.
The bridge will be accessible to pedestrians only during this period and it will be closed off to vehicular traffic at the following intersections; Bertha Street, Ntemi Piliso Street and Carr Street
“The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department(JMPD) officers will be present to assist with regulating traffic in the area.
Motorists are urged to be patient for the duration of the closure and to use the Queen Elizabeth Bridge and the Biccard Street Bridge as alternative routes,” said Fihla.
Nelson Mandela Bridge is a bridge in Johannesburg, South Africa. It is the fourth of five bridges which cross the railway lines and sidings located just west of Johannesburg Park Station, the first being the Johan Rissik Bridge adjacent to the station. It was completed in 2003 and cost R38 million to build.
The Nelson Mandela Bridge was recognised as being “an outstanding civil engineering achievement” by the South African Institute of Civil Engineers, according to South African Tourism.