Use of Putzmeister equipment

During the initial phase of both tower foundations, CMEJV used both of its Putzmeister BSF 36-4 machines to ensure an optimal workflow on the ground. 

Once the 30-metre mark was reached, the Putzmeister BSA 1409D stationary pumps were called in to help to transport the concrete to a height of around 125 m, pumping it horizontally from side to side. When the horizontal roadway is complete, one of the Putzmeister RV 12 rotary distributors can be used for easy placement of the concrete.

Bridge planning

The bridge designed by the Danish company Dissing + Weitling will have a main span of 580 metres once completed, supported by two 127-metre-high pylons. The roadway will sit 194 metres above the valley floor, making it the third highest bridge in South Africa.

Contract award

In 2017, the South African roads authority awarded the contact for building the bridge to the Concor-Mota-Engil Joint Venture (CMEJV), formed of the South African construction company Concor and the Portuguese construction company Mota-Engil. The contract is worth $118 million.

Information on the project 

An estimated 56,000 m³ of concrete will be needed, which is supplied by on-site mixing plants owned by the joint venture approximately 3 km from each end of the bridge. During construction, 29,700 tons of structural steel and 1100 tons of cabling will be used. The remaining work included in the contract covers the construction of 1.5 km of access roads on both sides of the bridge. This includes 650,000 m³ of earthworks, 430,000 m³ of which consists of hard rock. The conventional three-span bridge will have four culverts made of cast-in-place concrete crossing some of the tributaries. A temporary cable car system will reduce the travel time between opposite sides of the bridge during construction.    
The bridge, which will be one of the longest in Africa, is part of the N2 project. According to the Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula, the project is consistent with the new plan for economic reconstruction and economic recovery that continues to create thousands of new jobs and economic opportunities.

After significant delays, including a protracted labour dispute, the expected completion date for the project was set as the end of 2025 or early 2026. The N2 Wild Coast Road, which runs over 410 km from the Gonubie crossing in East London to the Mtamvuna River north of Port Edward, will shorten the current route by 85 kilometres.

Putzmeister equipment used

• BSA 1409 D stationary pumps
• BSF 36-4 truck-mounted concrete pumps
• SK pipeline/ZX pipeline