06/08/2022
Umtamvuna River Bridge / CH Mitchell Bridge
Driving down the South Coast of Kwazulu-Natal the last town before the Eastern Cape is Port Edward β passing the town continue on the R61 for a few kilometres and this is what youβll be greeted by β¦. Love this view! On the other side of the bridge begins the Pondoland Region of the Eastern Cape and the famous Wild Coast begins on the South side of the Umtamvuna River mouth β¦. So many wonderful memories.
:) Dale
Took this snap in May when we were staying at Montego Bay #9 at Caribbean Estates at Port Edward, KZN Highly recommended spot
History extract from Wikipedia
"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. 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. 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. The bridge was named after a local pioneer, Charles Henry Mitchell, the father of Douglas Edgar Mitchell (1896β1988), MP for Natal South Coast (1948-1972)"
Extract from James Brown & Hamer's quarterly Newsletter dated January 1963:
http://www.artefacts.co.za/main/Buildings/bldgframes.php?bldgid=15125
LONGEST SINGLE-SPAN BRIDGE IN SOUTH AFRICA
"James Brown and Hamer Ltd. have recently been awarded the R550,000 contract for the construction of a new Bridge at Umtamvuma on the South Coast of Natal, which will replace the present pont at Port Edward. The 520 ft. (158,5 m) span arch suspension bridge is to be constructed below the position of the existing pontβabout 2,500 ft. (762 m) from the river mouth.
The roadway, 30 ft. (9 m) wide, excluding two walkways each 3 ft. (0,9 m) wide, will be tarmacadam on a steel deck. This deck is 675 ft. 6 in. (206 m) long, and consists of three spans...."
Tourism KwaZulu-Natal South African Tourism UK I am South African South African Tourism AU Mountain Passes South Africa South Coast Tourism