Email: info@wakeformworks.com
Mtentu Bridge, South Africa
Project Name
Mtentu Bridge (南非门塔图大桥)
Location
Spans the Mtentu River in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, near Lusikisiki and approximately 50 km from Port Edward .
Function
A critical component of the South African National Roads Agency’s (SANRAL) N2 Wild Coast Toll Road program. It is designed to significantly improve regional transport, reduce travel times along the N2 route, and serve as a key economic engine for the Eastern Cape, promoting tourism and mining .
Key Specs
- Type: Multi-span concrete box girder bridge, constructed using the balanced cantilever method .
- Total Length: 1,130 meters (approx. 1.13 km) .
- Main Span: 260 meters .
- Bridge Height: Over 220 meters above the river valley. Upon completion, it will surpass the Bloukrans Bridge to become the highest bridge in Africa and the Southern Hemisphere .
- Main Pier: Pier No. 9 will be 141 meters tall, equivalent to a 40-story building and the tallest bridge pier in Africa .
- Contract Value: Approximately R4.05 billion .
Construction & Investment Entities
- Project Owner: South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) .
- Main Contractor: A joint venture between China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) and Mota-Engil Construction South Africa (MECSA) .
- Bridge Designer: Dissing+Weitling .
Project Status (as of mid-2026)
Actively under construction.
Key milestones:
- Start Date: Contract awarded on November 1, 2022; construction began in August 2023 .
- Progress: The project has faced some delays due to unforeseen geotechnical and slope-stability challenges encountered during the construction of access roads. A revised completion date is pending review . Originally targeted for completion by the end of 2027 .
- Social Impact: The project has created over 600 full-time equivalent jobs, with a strong focus on local labor and enterprise development. It has positively impacted surrounding communities by providing stable income and improving local infrastructure .
