C. H. Mitchell Bridge

The C. H. Mitchell bridge, also known as the Mtamvuna bridge, is the second longest single span bridge in South Africa. The bridge's deck is suspended by a pair of cable hangers systems, which are supported by a cross-braced double steel arch. It is 206 metres (676 ft) in length and the highest point on its arch is 35 metres (115 ft) above the roadway.

C. H. Mitchell Bridge
The C. H. Mitchell bridge over the Mtamvuna River
Coordinates	31°04′31″S 30°11′33″E
Carries	Provincial Route 61
Crosses	Mtamvuna River
Locale	KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Other name(s)	Mtamvuna Bridge Wild Coast KZN Eastern Cape Bridge
Characteristics
Design	Arch bridge
Material	Steel
Total length	210 metres (690 ft)
Height	35 metres (115 ft)
No. of spans	206 metres (676 ft)
History
Opened	1966 (1966)

The bridge is located south of Port Edward and spans the Mtamvuna River. It connects KwaZulu-Natal to the Eastern Cape and is one of the largest truss arch bridges in South Africa. It is located on the R61 Route.

History

The bridge was constructed in 1966 and is similar in design to the Fredrikstad Bridge in Norway.[1] It replaced a ferry crossing that had been in operation since 1943. The ferry crossing was originally located about 1 km (0.62 mi) from the mouth of the river but was moved further upstream.[2] In 1963 JBH were awarded the R. 535,000 contract for the construction of the new bridge. It was constructed from corten steel, which is known for its increased resistance to atmospheric corrosion.[3] It was formally handed over to the Public Works Department on 9 September 1966 and opened at the end of that year. The South African Institute of Civil Engineers awarded it the 'Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement' for 1966.[4] The bridge was named after a local pioneer, Charles Henry Mitchell, the father of Douglas Edgar Mitchell (1896–1988), MP for Natal South Coast (1948-1972).[3][5]

The bridge underwent substantial refurbishment and modifications between 2000 and 2001. In the late evening on 27 November 2002 the bridge was significantly damaged by two explosive devices which were detonated on the Eastern Cape side of the bridge. The bombings were later attributed to the Boeremag, a right-wing terrorist organisation, with white separatist aims.[6] The explosions damaged the steel arch structure as well as its two supports, and the bridge was closed to traffic for three weeks whilst being repaired.[7][8][9] The bridge repair received a South African Institute of Civil Engineers award in the technical category in 2006.[10]

Road access to the bridge

See also

• List of arch bridges by length
• List of bridges in South Africa

References

1. "South African Digest, Issue 14". Department of Information. 1967: 10. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
2. Erasmus, B. P. J. (1995). On route in South Africa. Jonathan Ball Publishers. p. 115. ISBN 9781868420261.
3. Parliament of South Africa (1968). Papers R.P. Government Printer. p. 20.
4. South African Institution of Civil Engineers (2001). "Siviele Ingenieurswese". 9. South African Institution of Civil Engineers: xvi. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
5. Wilks, Terry (1980). The Biography of Douglas Mitchell. King & Wilks Publishers. p. 23.
6. Mitchell, Karin (2019). South Africa's High Treason Club: The White Separatist Boeremag Conspirators on Trial. McFarland. p. 156. ISBN 9781476678832.
7. "Umtamvuna bridge reopens". News24. 18 December 2002. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
8. http://www.visitportedward.co.za/umtamvuna-bridge
9. https://oldpont.co.za/history.html
10. "South African National Roads Agency - Annual Report 2008" (PDF). South African National Roads Agency. 2008. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)