Cracks found in major bridge
2008-07-08 14:11
Cape Town - Officials are monitoring a major bridge over the swollen Olifants River at Vredendal on the West Coast after cracks were discovered in the structure on Tuesday morning.
Vredendal police spokesperson Superintendent Johan van der Hoven said that if the bridge was closed it would cut off the town's last road access to the outside world.
"The situation is bad at this stage," he said.
He said the flooded river had already cut off the road from Vredendal to Klawer on the N7.
The cracks in the bridge, which is on the north-east edge of the town, were noticed at 11:00.
Provincial engineers had been asked to assess it.
Until they arrived and reported, police and traffic officials were limiting vehicle use of the bridge to one lane, and sending over only five cars at a time, at the drivers' own risk.
Van der Hoven said boats had been used to rescue a number of people on farms in the area who were trapped when the rising river flooded their homes.
The Weather Service on Tuesday predicted continuing heavy rain that could lead to localised flooding in West Coast District, which includes Vredendal, the Cape metropole, and the western parts of Overberg.
- SAPA