Another new find for the Gateway area in Umhlanga...

http://www.jtross.co.za/Admin/NewsAndPress/UploadImages/BridgePhotoshop01%20(rev%20JP)%20cropped134252009083437.JPG

Completion Date: 31/05/2010

Description:

A pedestrian bridge is to be built across the N2, between Gateway and Sibaya to allow for easier access between Blackburn and the Gateway precinct. This project is Joint Venture with Devru Construction for client South African National Roads Agency.


Programme:
The project will commence this month (July 2009) and is due to be completed before mid year 2010.

Features:
The bridge will be a cable stay bridge crossing the N2, a unique feature for KwaZulu Natal. A pathway will lead from the bridge to the Gateway precinct.


A new cable-stayed pedestrian bridge is to be built across the N2, just north of Gateway, formalizing the existing link of the settlement of Blackburn Village to the Umhlanga New Town Precinct.

The bridge is a welcome addition to the infrastructure north of Durban. The intention is to eliminate unsafe use of the N2 as a pedestrian route, by providing a walkway over the freeway. In the same instance, the design allows for the bridge to be an attractive entrance feature along the national road to the northern precinct of Durban. The bridge is the first of its kind in KwaZulu Natal.

J.T. Ross commenced with civil and building work on this project in July 2009, in a joint venture with Devru Construction for its client, being the South African National Roads Agency. The bridge is expected to be complete before mid 2010, prior to the start of the 2010 FIFA Worldcup.

The 177 meter long bridge will stretch across the freeway, approximately 10 meters above the N2 carriageways. Staging construction will be utilized which will require intensive use of scaffolding and a temporary bridge to allow the building of the deck. In the centre of the bridge, between the northbound and southbound lanes, an A-Frame pylon will feature, reaching 61 meters into the air. 70 meter long cables will span out from the top of the pylon to the deck of the bridge.

The bridge deck will be 4.9 meters wide with 2,1 meter high security screens on either side. Provision is made for protection of the cable stays from vandalism and anti-graffiti components will be implemented at both the pylons and at the entrances to the pedestrian bridge.

A concrete, paved and protected walkway will run from the end of the bridge to the Umhlanga New Town road network. Freeway roadworks to allow for the bridge construction to commence include construction of new lay-byes on both carriageways and the Flanders subway just south of the pedestrian bridge is set to be widened.

Little disruption to traffic is expected as two lanes on each carriageway will be retained. Strict traffic monitoring and safety measures form an essential component of the project to keep interruption of traffic to a minimum.
J.T. Ross and Devru Construction are committed to the high quality of workmanship required on this project and are proud to be involved in what is set to become a striking feature of KwaZulu Natal, and a highly necessary and practical one at that.

Wow!..

That looks awesome...

Except I know it won't change ANY of the pedestrian traffic on the freeway. I used to drive into JHB (near Germiston I think) often and the buggers would cross the freeway RIGHT under the pedestrian bridge that was built...

walk across this easy bridge or down a hill across 3 lanes of traffic, down and up a ravine, over 3 more lanes and then up a steep bank....hmmm they would be stupid not to use the bridge!

That said, i think it is another awesome looking bridge...will look great lit up at night and another focal point when entering the area

dysan : Yeah I know logic dictates using the bridge (for intelligent people)...

But this would be ppl walking across 3 lanes either way of some of the busiest highway in the country, rather than walk up a few steps and over a safe bridge...

I do hope they do use the bridge, though they will have to wrap it in some kind of mesh very quickly because it will be used to drop rocks and such on cars... (Or i could look at the render more closely and see that they'll already do it :) )

^^ read the article a bit more closely on the rocks/mesh issue...

also if you look at the pic, they would have to walk even lower down than the bridge to make it freeway level...

But i do get what you are saying, alot of bridges are built for pedestrians with very little thought going into their design and often it is easier to cross the road than to use the bridge...least in this case i think they have planned well

Also just looking at that "render"

Depending on the surrounding buildings when the bridge is finished, and the plans for the area.. I hope its not a boring concrete structure and they actually give it some life by painting it white or something like that.... I actually think it would look really really awesome in white.

Wow!..

That looks awesome...

Except I know it won't change ANY of the pedestrian traffic on the freeway. I used to drive into JHB (near Germiston I think) often and the buggers would cross the freeway RIGHT under the pedestrian bridge that was built...


I know the bridge you talking about, unfotunately criminasl used the bridge as an advantage to rob people and that is why people didn't use the bridge.

^^Yeh thats pretty unfortunate, Ive heard similar stories about it here in Durbs, my maid couldnt cross one bridge on her way home esp after shes gotten paid because guys just wait for people on the bridge....

But its good for the area, and the banks are quite steep for many to go down. Hopefully we wont get any part time tugs applying their trade on this bridge as it is much needed for this part of the N2 & will hopefully decrease the pedestrian activity on the N2.

Funky bridge

Hope they paint it :)

Drove past today and it looks like they have started work on it already, some earthworks on the centre median

Looks so cool :)

Do we have any cable-stay bridges in Durban?

^^ no we dont

WoW! What a great addtion to the area. Will make nice impression, driving from the new airport to Umhlanga. Very eye-catching. Given the terrain, I do think people will use it as it's seemingly quite a mission to get across the freeway.

Nice little bridge.

ALOT of work going on on site, that drive from Umhlanga to Ballito has alot of overhead work going on with this bridge and the airport interchange. Not to mention work on the Cornubia interchange is imminent

why is this not vechicular as well? surely only one crossing point between the ridge and other side of the freeway (whats it called?) is needed?

There are two others planned, this is down near prestondale

I want that one

does anyone drive past here often to update on whats going on? last i saw they had a mother big crane up in the middle of the highway

Nope, but I think switch does, so mate if you can :D

took a drive past today on way back into Umhlanga and it is progressing well. There is a mighty high crane in the middle of the highway and the central tower is growing well. Will be very iconic, especially since i read yesterday that it will have lights that change colour on it for different moods

sounds pretty fancy for a pedestrian bridge!

If I am not mistaken, there is a dirt road running beneath the highway around that point.

Why doesnt the local government use the money build a new bridge across the umngeni river where its needed. The N3, North Coast, Athlone and M4 bridges are packed in the morning and afternoon as people commute across the river. Plus those bridges were built in the 1970's

^^ i do not get what you are getting at? SANRAL are paying for this bridge not the city. Secondly, have you not seen the expansion and interchange work on the N2 over the umgeni?

ya, N3 doesnt touch Umgeni, Im guessing you mean the N2, but the reason for the traffic is the construction, they merging all the bridges going over the Umgeni, its a pretty intense project, but once complete it will pay its dividends.

i ment N2 my bad... that bridge isnt all dat bad the M4 is a problem in the mornings n evenings

sadly that is not going to change hey and will probably only get worse until they expand it in 2014/15.

Photos? :)

^^ i have no reason not to take now...you have to drive under it to get to King Shaka

I actually got a few from the weekend of the opening, keep on forgetting to post them!

http://i42.tinypic.com/2u56dci.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/2z6801s.jpg

Blackburn Pedestrian Bridge Completion Posted Date:01/01/0001

BLACKBURN PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE

Construction of the 177 meter long Blackburn Pedestrian Bridge in KwaZulu Natal has been completed.
The first of its kind in KwaZulu Natal, the cable stayed bridge, spanning over the N2, is a welcome provision for pedestrians travelling between Blackburn Village and the Umhlanga New Town Centre. J.T. Ross in joint venture with Devru Construction commenced with the project in July 2009 for client South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL).

The A Frame pylon in the centre of the bridge reaches 60 meters upwards and the attached cable stays used to support the deck structure are approximately 70m in length. These support cables, running between the A Frame pylon and the bridge pedestrian deck, are tensioned to support the bridge. Security screens will run along either side of the deck at a height of 2.1 meters, ensuring safe passageway for pedestrians crossing the bridge, which is elevated at 10 meters above the north and south bound carriageways. A concrete, paved pathway is also complete and runs from Blackburn village to the bridge, and is continued on the opposite bank running from the bridge to the Umhlanga New Town Centre.

Besides the visual appeal and unique technical features of the bridge, the project has created employment opportunities for the residents of the Blackburn Village community. J.T. Ross has provided on site training for local carpenters and scaffolders and the joint venture has participated in various community projects with SANRAL and SSI Engineering. A bridge building competition, initiated by SSI Engineering, was held toward the end of 2009. School children from the Blackburn Village community were challenged to put together small scale bridges using toothpicks and sweets, exposing them to the underlying theory and technical principles involved in bridge construction.

Ikusasa Lami is a further initiative whereby learners from previously disadvantaged communities have worked with the J.T. Ross team on site to gain exposure into the fields of Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying and Construction.

As construction of the bridge and the walkway leading to Umhlanga New Town Centre nears completion, preparations are underway to light the bridge at night. The South African flag will be placed at the peak of the A Frame pylon and will fly proudly, marking Blackburn Pedestrian Bridge as a landmark feature within the new South African landscape.

Finally some images of this completed bridge. It is lit up at night in colour changing LED lights, so at times it appears white, then green, then yellow, then purple, then blue... etc...

JT Ross
http://www.jtross.co.za/Admin/NewsAndPress/UploadImages/_DSC7776155212010025519.jpg

Dennis Guichard
http://dennisguichard.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/blackburn-bridge-04bw.jpg?w=600&h=330

the bridge to nowhere

Hmmm I can see one problem with this bridge :(

The pedestrian cage is not totally covering it, so guys will still throw things over the top onto the freeway...

the bridge to nowhere

You would be extremely surprised at how busy it is with people using it. and it wont be nowhere in a few years with all the development. Izinga on the one side and Cornubia on the other

Hmmm I can see one problem with this bridge :(

The pedestrian cage is not totally covering it, so guys will still throw things over the top onto the freeway...

So we must total cage any bridge? seems illogical. If people want to do something no matter how hard you try make it impossible they will find a way.

So we must total cage any bridge? seems illogical. If people want to do something no matter how hard you try make it impossible they will find a way.

True, they will find a way regardless..
And I'm not suggesting every bridge be totally caged, its just seems odd that they've done the sides, but not the top on this one.

Though I think whats probably more important is keeping the bridge safe for its users and somehow stopping the thugs from taking over and charging "usage fees" like they apparently do on some other pedestrian bridges.

I love the LED on this bridge. Very impressive initiation to the city for those taking the N2from KSIA.

went to the airport the other weekend, sad to see morons still walking on the road...

Bridge to Umhlanga

http://theridgeonline.co.za/files/2010/09/DSC6672.jpg

by Editor on September 16, 2010 in News

The daily reality for the Blackburn community as they made their way from their homes to work in Umhlanga Ridge was the gauntlet they had to run crossing the increasingly busy national road. Many pedestrians have lost their lives in this way in recent years.

The South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) through its community development programme reacted to this unacceptable situation by planning a unique new pedestrian bridge and walkway. The Blackburn Pedestrian Bridge is now an icon on visitors’ route from the new King Shaka International Airport to Durban.

At the bridge site a natural ravine separates the two carriageways of the N2 and the 180 metre gap posed a unique challenge. SANRAL commissioned SSI Engineers and Environmental Consultants to conceive a solution. The elegant new cable stayed structure was judged to be the most cost effective and aesthetically pleasing out of the options considered.

JT Ross/Devru Construction JV were the successful tenderer, but the community of Blackburn were involved every step of the way. From the early consultations about the project to the sixty members of the community who were employed in the construction process it has met SANRAL’s requirements for a community project. An innovative feature incorporated into the bridge is the hand prints of the children on the panels along the walkway, which provides a sense of ownership of the bridge to the community.

The original planning for the bridge featured conventional lighting with high power demands. However recent developments in highly efficient LED lighting which have come to the market during the construction of the bridge has allowed the engineers not only to provide effective lighting for the pedestrians, but also architectural colour lighting of the pylon to enhance the dramatic nature of this unique bridge.

- This article first appeared in the Business in Durban magazine

Congratulations to SSI for winning the CESA Aon Engineering Excellence Awards 2011!

Pieter van Marion (a DHV employee)