The N7 bridge in the vicinity of Acacia Park that was damaged by a fire in an informal settlement under the bridge in the early hours of Monday morning will remain closed for at least the next 24 hours.

Structural supports are being put in place to allow the accommodation of traffic on the Eastern span of the bridge. Significant work must still be completed to safely manage bi-directional, single-lane traffic flow across the span. Traffic will need to cross the median of the N7 at two points, and the heavy nature and speed of the traffic that is accommodated on the N7 necessitates considerable preparations.

Under the circumstances, authorities are being forced to keep the N7 closed for at least another 24 hours. Road users are requested to be patient and wherever possible use alternative routes.

A project team consisting of Spoornet, the Department of Public Works, the City of Cape Town and the Provincial Government of the Western Cape is being constituted to deal with a recovery plan for the bridge. The full re-opening of the bridge will in all likelihood take several months.

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Issued by:
Directorate: Communication and Marketing
City Of Cape Town
Tel: 021 400 2201
Fax: 021 957 0023

Media queries:
Charles Cooper
Acting Media Manager
City of Cape Town
Tel: 021 400 3719