Xaba unveils R71m flood-resilient Blundell Bridge in Shallcross

By Levy Masiteng

eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba on Tuesday officially unveiled the R71 million Blundell Bridge and Road infrastructure project, marking a key milestone in the city’s efforts to rebuild and strengthen infrastructure damaged during the devastating 2022 KwaZulu-Natal floods.

The project includes about 450 metres of newly constructed roadway and a 90-metre-long, 14-metre-wide bridge featuring two traffic lanes and dedicated pedestrian walkways.

The municipality said the bridge provides a vital link between the communities of Shallcross and Queensburgh and forms part of Durban’s southern road network.

The previous low-level crossing was destroyed during the April 2022 floods when the uMhlathuzana River burst its banks, cutting off access for residents and forcing motorists to use alternative routes.

“We will ensure that all infrastructure can withstand future flooding and severe weather conditions. We are building climate-resilient infrastructure. This bridge has been designed to withstand storms with a one-in-100-year return period,” Xaba