In a moment of triumph for the residents of Yellowwood Park and surrounding areas in Durban, the Coedmore Bridge has officially reopened to motorists more than three years after its devastating destruction during the catastrophic floods of 2022.

The completion of this essential infrastructure project, confirmed by DA councillor Andre Beetge, marks a significant step towards restoring connectivity and normalcy for the local community.

Beetge, a member of the eThekwini executive committee, was present on Friday to witness the first cars cross the newly constructed bridge, which boasts a price tag of R47 million.

“According to our knowledge, the R47 million bridge is complete and ready for use although clean-up and tidying operations will continue,” he revealed in an interview on Saturday.

The first person to cross the bridge from the Sarnia Road side was DA candidate Norman Gilbert, he said.

Beetge recounted the significant disruption and disorder caused by the destruction of the bridge.

This bridge was vital as it offered direct routes between Yellowwood Park and Sarnia Road in Seaview, as well as access to Edwin Swales, he said.

“In the absence of the passageway, residents were forced to use Kenyon Howden Road into South Coast Road or other longer and more congested routes. It also detracted from easy access to retail nodes in Montclair and Queensburgh with added travelling time,” said Beetge.

Motorists enthusiastically honked their horns as they drove across the newly upgraded bridge, which now features two lanes and pedestrian walkways, a scene captured in a video posted on Beetge’s Facebook page.

“Jubilation is an understatement. We have not seen so much joy since the ban of the mask post Covid as people hooted and waved… Joy beamed from their faces and one resident in particular crossed the bridge no less than three times just to make sure he wasn’t living in a dream,” he stated.

Beetge himself said he is “absolutely elated” over the completion of this project as it was met with one challenge after another.

He noted that geo-technical challenges resulted in unanticipated blasting as well as more flooding, as well as the original contractor incurring financial constraints.

“This caused completion to be delayed from December 2024 to the first car passing on 1 August, after a session in the contract was negotiated,” he said.

Beetge stated that the delays unfortunately led to the councillor becoming a scapegoat, facing victimisation from frustrated residents.

“In the end, it was really worth the wait as the new bridge is a modern double carriageway that should serve the residents for a long time to come,” he said.

Last year, eThekwini’s former mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda, visited the site and announced that the new state-of-the-art 90m-long bridge was being built using cutting-edge integral bridge technology, which is expected to lower maintenance expenses.

He said the project also included the construction of a 150m road leading to the bridge, implementation of traffic-calming measures, and installation of improved surface drainage systems.

karen.singh@inl.co.za

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