The new Ashton Arch, connecting the towns of Ashton and Montagu was successfully moved into place after 6 hrs and 7 mins on Saturday, August 14. The move of the 8000-ton concrete bridge attracted much attention and spectators flocked to the town and to several venues to watch the historical event.
‘I am proud to have been a part of the official opening of the new Ashton Arch Bridge in Ashton today,’ Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said on Twitter. ‘I joined the Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works at this momentous occasion.’
The new bridge comprises a cable-supported concrete deck that spans 110 metres between supports with arching ribs rising 22 metres above the asphalt road surface.
The 23-metre gap was covered at about 2m per hour. The bridge accommodates four traffic lanes and two walkways. It is South Africa’s first-ever concrete tied arch bridge constructed using a transverse launching method.
Watch a portion of the live stream here:
Picture: Twitter/TransportPublicWorks
