Progress made in building pedestrian bridges in the North West

The North West has been urged to support the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality to ensure it successfully builds pedestrian and vehicular bridges.

According to the North West’s permanent delegates to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), the province received R130 million from the national Department of Public Works and Roads for the construction of Welisizwe Rural Bridges. 

The project aims to refurbish pedestrian and vehicular bridges in the communities.

“Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality was prioritised due to floods that took place in 2021/22 in the province. 

“The department identified 35 pedestrian bridges and submitted for refurbishment. Upon assessment by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the Department of Public Works, only 12 pedestrian bridges were selected for construction in the current financial year,” the delegates said in a statement.

The delegation said it received an update from the provincial department on the state of roads, refurbishment and construction plans in place. 

They also heard that the process is underway to implement the refurbishment of the six bridges where the SANDF has established sites and has committed to developing an acceleration catch-up plan to deliver the six bridges identified before the end of this year’s second quarter.

“The delegation appreciated the update, in particular, the building of a bridge in Kraaipan village, as residents have been calling and waiting for such infrastructural development projects.”

The provincial department informed the team that the material to construct and build the six bridges was delivered on 7 September 2023. 

This will cover two vehicular bridges in Kraaipan village, two pedestrian bridges in Montshioastad and one vehicular bridge in Masutlhe village. – SAnews.gov.za