Umzimkulu Bridge Work Resumes by Alan Carby
Umzimkulu Bridge Work Resumes by Alan Carby: Don’t hold your breaths, but Alan Carby today reports that it looks like the bridge works are being attended to again.
Work on the Umzimkulu River Bridge in Port Shepstone is finally set to resume after months of delays, as the contractor has now been paid in full. Local officials confirm that preparations are underway, though the project has faced repeated stoppages due to unpaid invoices and funding issues.
?? Current Status of Umzimkulu Bridge Repairs
- Contractor Payment: The contractor responsible for the bridge has now received full payment, clearing the way for work to restart.
- Past Delays: Repairs stalled earlier this year because the contractor was owed R31.5 million, leading to suspension of work.
- Completion Progress: As of February 2026, only 56% of the rehabilitation work was complete.
- New Timeline: Authorities now expect completion by August 31, 2026, provided payments continue without interruption.
? Funding & Administrative Issues
- The KZN Department of Transport admitted to cash flow challenges, with contractors often receiving less than half of the monthly funds required.
- A new “invoice checking war room” has been set up to ensure contractors are paid on time, with weekly meetings chaired by the Head of Department.
- The department has pledged to move from quarterly to monthly payments to stabilize projects.
? Local Impact
- The bridge was closed in March 2025 after flood damage, with emergency repairs initially expected to take six months.
- Nearly a year later, delays have caused daily traffic gridlock in Port Shepstone, forcing motorists onto toll routes and hurting local businesses.
- Residents are hopeful that with payments now cleared, construction crews will return to site and finish before the end of 2026.
? What This Means for You
- Bridge work is resuming now — crews are expected back on site in the coming weeks.
- Target completion date: August 31, 2026 (subject to continued funding).
- Community benefit: Once reopened, the bridge will ease traffic congestion, reduce toll costs for detours, and restore a vital transport link for Port Shepstone.
