Video
GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - Restoration work to the damaged Silver River bridge on the Seven Passes Road will be prioritised and forms part of the entire road repairs. Heritage approvals will also play a role before work can start.
The corner post of the Silver River Bridge broke off when a truck collided with the bridge in March 2022.
The driver was sentenced and fined R20 000 for the damage, which was paid into the account of the Department of Transport and Public Works in April last year. The total cost of the damage was estimated at about R50 000.
Jandre Bakker, head of communication for the Provincial Department of Infrastructure, said the cost to repair the damage may be more than what the fine covers. "Any amount paid to the department will be used for repairs.
"Because the bridge is of a notable age, a number of heritage approvals may be required before works can start and as mentioned, all repairs are prioritised in line with priorities across the entire road network. Repairs to the structure will form part of the larger repair project to the entire affected road section."
It is evident that there has been a lot of movement on the Seven Passes road, regardless of the fact that the road is closed. Barriers have been removed at some places. Bakker confirmed that the Silver River bridge is in the closed section of the road.
"Only people who blatantly disregard road closures put in place for public safety would have access to the structure," said Bakker.
Barriers have been removed at some places on the Seven Passes Road.
VIDEO: Jeff Ayliffe gives an update on the Passes
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
