Another bridge episode on Seven Passes Road

GEORGE NEWS - Ten days after the last "stuck-on-a-bridge" incident, yet another truck had to fumble in the dark to avoid a catastrophe.

The latest truck belongs to a company in Vredendal, Royal Organics Transport, and was on its way to Wilderness from George via the Seven Passes Road when the driver came to a halt at the Silver River Bridge - a narrow, historical bridge of over 100 years old.

The previous incident took place on 5 November, when a truck driver from a Gauteng-based company, HdP Transport, came to a halt before the Kaaimans Bridge on his way to Wilderness.

According to the operational manager of Royal Organics Transport, Anzelle Koortzen, she received a call from the driver around 21:00 on Tuesday 15 November, saying he is struggling with cellphone signal and had been stuck in front of the bridge since 20:30.

"By 00:30 we received a message saying he is back on track, and on his way to Wilderness Fruits."

Apparently a tow truck assisted him to continue over the bridge. Koortzen said the driver chose the Seven Passes route, because the GPS yielded a warning for the other alternative, Whites Road, indicating that it is not suitable for vehicles over eight ton.

"In the end he had to go down Whites Road anyway, after this episode on the Seven Passes Road," said Koortzen.

"It is really problematic to get a call at night from your driver in such a predicament. We do not know the area at all. It would be very helpful if clients can alert transport companies to possible difficulties. Our driver thought he chose the best route. He did not see any warnings to alert him not to take the route."

Options

The two historical bridges on the Seven Passes Road - the Silver River Bridge and the Kaaimans Bridge - are not built to accommodate heavy vehicles. Companies have previously claimed that the drivers' GPS shows this particular route as the best option on the table.

In his comment on the previous incident on 5 November, WC Department of Transport spokesperson Jandré Bakker said although they have not received any request for additional road signs to warn drivers of the difficulties ahead, the matter has been referred to the district roads engineer, who will liaise with the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM).

The GRDM performs certain functions through an agency agreement on behalf of the Provincial Department of Transport.

Chair of the George Heritage Society, Henry Paine, pointed out that the situation needs urgent attention, and said they would like the GRDM to tend to the matter.

Damage

The Kaaimans Bridge was damaged a few years ago and has not yet been restored. In July this year George Herald reported on damage to the Silver River Bridge, which is believed to have been caused by a truck that got stuck on the bridge.

A section of the bridge was allegedly cut off in an attempt to free the truck.

A site visit by heritage agencies is planned for November, during which they will visit the Seven Passes Road (MR355) and inspect the damage to the historic Silver River Bridge.