Nelson Mandela Bridge

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Not to be confused with Nelson Mandela Bridges.

Nelson Mandela Bridge
South Africa-Johannesburg-Nelson Mandela Bridge001.jpg
Coordinates26°11′48″S 28°02′03″E / 26.1967°S 28.0342°E / -26.1967; 28.0342Coordinates: 26°11′48″S 28°02′03″E / 26.1967°S 28.0342°E / -26.1967; 28.0342
CarriesRoad and pedestrian traffic
CrossesRailway yard (42 lines)
LocaleJohannesburg
Websitewww.nelsonmandelabridge.com
Characteristics
DesignDissing+Weitling
Total length284m
Height27m
Longest span176m
History
Opened2003
Location

Nelson Mandela Bridge is a bridge in Johannesburg, South Africa. It is the fourth of five bridges which cross the railway lines and sidings located just west of Johannesburg Park Station, the first being the adjacent to the station. It was completed in 2003, and cost R38 million[1] to build.[2][3][unreliable source?] The proposal for the bridge was to link up two main business areas of Braamfontein and Newtown as well as to rejuvenate and to a certain level modernise the inner city. The bridge forms part of the M27 Route of Johannesburg.

History[]

A bridge linking Braamfontein to the Johannesburg city centre was first mooted by Steve Thorne and Gordon Gibson, urban designers, in 1993 in their urban design study of the Inner City of Johannesburg. In their study they named the bridge the Nelson Mandela bridge in recognition of the role Nelson Mandela was having in uniting South African society, and the symbolism of linkage and unity provided by the bridge.

Structural design[]

The bridge was constructed over 42 railway lines without disturbing railway traffic and is 284 metres long. There are two pylons, North and South, 42 and 27 metres high respectively. Engineers tried to keep the bridge as light as possible and used a structural steel with a concrete composite deck to keep weight down. Heavier banks along the bridge were reinforced by heavier back spans. The bridge consists of two lanes and has pedestrian walk-ways on either side. The bridge can be viewed from one of Johannesburg's most popular roads, the M1 highway.

References[]

  1. ^ "Nelson Mandela Bridge | Attractions | Culture | History | Affordable | Transport | Day Trips | Nelson Mandela | Vibrant culture (ZM)". www.southafrica.net. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  2. ^ "city of Johannesburg - Newtown: your guide". Archived from the original on 3 January 2014.
  3. ^ "Nelson Mandela Bridge, Johannesburg, South Africa - Verdict Traffic".
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