Good progress is being made on Department of Infrastructure (DOI) emergency repair works to the Smalblaar Bridge that was so severely damaged during the flood event of 11 and 12 May 2026 that the MR298 (Van Riebeeck Street) through Rawsonville had to be closed.
A temporary walkway to enable pedestrians to cross the Smalblaar River between Rawsonville and De Nova is expected to be open on 7 October 2026. A temporary two-lane low-level water crossing is expected to be open by the middle of October 2026. The entire R31.5 million project to demolish and rebuild the damaged portions of the bridge is expected to be completed in July 2027.
Built in 1973, the Smalblaar Bridge is 234.5 metres long, carries two lanes of vehicular traffic, and has raised pedestrian sidewalks. Four of the bridge’s spans and three of its piers were so badly damaged that they will have to be demolished and rebuilt on foundations that are an estimated 6 metres deep.
Preparations are underway to temporarily relocate and protect services carried over the bridge while it is being rehabilitated. These include the existing water main, the rising sewer main, street lighting and optical fibre lines.
Once these steps have been completed, works to demolish and rebuild the damaged sections of the river will begin. The scope of the project also includes improvements to the downstream river weir to restore its riverbed level-control function and improve its resilience to future flood events. Permanent scour and erosion protection works will also be built to help protect the bridge against future floods.
“The damage to the Smalblaar Bridge has had a significant impact on the Rawsonville community, businesses and road users”, said Provincial Minister of Infrastructure Tertius Simmers. “I am encouraged by the progress being made. Our immediate priority is to restore safe access as quickly as possible, while ensuring that the permanent repair creates a stronger and more resilient bridge. The temporary pedestrian crossing and vehicle crossing are important milestones towards reconnecting this community. We appreciate the patience of residents while our teams continue working to restore this vital link,” he added.
