The Sand River Bridge is in rather a precarious state as at 7.30 am this morning, Sunday 12 August.
Photos taken this morning by Bev Mortimer show how fragile, if not dangerous, the bridge is:
* Three of the large inflow pipes on the west side of the bridge are blocked and it appears sand bags have fallen in the river.
* The water level has risen above the height of the inflow pipes.
* The water level is about a metre away from the top of road
* The bank on the Humansdorp side is very eroded.
* On the Kromme river side water is seen flowing swiftly out of only three pipes.
* It is anticipated – according to other observers at the bridge that water could flow over the top of the bridge in 1-2 hours if the pipes are not unblocked soon.
St Francis Chronicle informed the authorities and the SAP at 7. 45 am who said they would go and check the bridge.
In the interim motorists should take extreme care in crossing the bridge.
See update at 10.30 am: https://stfrancischronicle.com/2012/08/12/sand-river-bridge-still-open-pipes-being-cleared-10-30-am/
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Hi Bev – you are so brave, going out in the cold and rain while we are all still in bed! As a matter of interest, how many pipes are there, with 3 blocked? Thanks.
Thanks! There are six pipes in total. Contractor is currently busy unblocking the three pipes
We came through the Sand Rivver Bridge and wre astounded to see two men waist deep, no wet suits, in that fastly running very cold water, clearing the pipes. Wow, that was extremely brave, there could have been any sort of debris (snakes, etc), not to mention logs to endanger them. Thank you to those heroes, we really appreciate their efforts to keep the bridge ‘going’
Get the Italians in to repair the bridge. They put the foundations down at 57meters deep, which makes it all worthwhile, and you will never have a problem again. The Storms River Bridge is a true example of their work,