New bridges being built in Cradock

The construction of the two new N10 Tarka Bridges in Cradock aims to address some of the core challenges with regards to rural transportation in the area.

"The movement of freight in the farms and rural areas is one key challenge that we need to address as part of our interventions for the second economy and we must ensure that all roads that provide access to farming areas are prioritised and addressed," Eastern Cape MEC for Roads and Transport Gloria Barry said.

The main features of the bridges include their construction over the Great Fish River to carry the realigned N10-3 over the floodplain.

These bridges cross at approximately 71 kilometres and approximately 72 kilometres with lengths of 200 metres and 300 metres respectively.

Barry said this will further promote the implementation of safety measures on the section of N10 between the townships of Lingelihle and Michausdal while providing stability measures to the existing Barberskrans Pass during construction.

With regards to an accelerated implementation plan of the project, the MEC said this included street lightning of R1,3m and additional work between Michausdal and Lingelihle amounting to R7m.

"As we move closer to host the much awaited 2010 FIFA World Cup, we have a mandate to ensure that our transport system infrastructure and systems are ready," said Barry.

In August last year, the Department of Safety, Liaison, Roads and Transport in the Eastern Cape outlined its priorities for the next 10 years, including plans to tar more roads in rural areas.

The department hopes to change the ratio of surface to gravel roads, by tarring 80% of the 43 465 km provincial network. "Presently, 5,102 km of our roads are surfaced and 38 363km are gravel," the department said at the time.

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