Unfinished Cape Town bridges could fall

Cape Town - undated - Pictured is the building of the Cape Town Foreshore highways. Picture: SUPPLIED

Cape Town - undated - Pictured is the building of the Cape Town Foreshore highways. Picture: SUPPLIED

Published Jun 22, 2016

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Cape Town - It could be at least another five years before actual development begins on a chosen proposal to redevelop the city's foreshore, including its unfinished bridges.

Mayor Patricia de Lille announced on Tuesday that a prospectus to develop the Foreshore Freeway Precinct would be issued on 8 July.

But of prime importance was developing the six hectares of land beneath the elevated freeways and unfinished bridges, to pay for any future construction on the bridges.

De Lille said it was not a foregone conclusion that the bridges would be completed. They could be redesigned or even demolished.

“The solution to the unfinished bridges must assist our range of efforts to alleviate congestion, but a pivotal requirement for those wanting to bid, is that their development proposal must provide housing opportunities for a diverse cross section of income groups.”

The Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry applauded the move.

Chamber president Janine Myburgh said “We think it is both imaginative and constructive and we believe it could result in a win-win situation for both the city and its commuters who daily face a growing road congestion problem.”

Western Cape Economic Development Partnership chief executive Andrew Boraine also welcomed the city council's multi-pronged approach to addressing road infrastructure challenges, leaving the future of the bridges open to options while also building affordable housing.

“It’s a creative approach, anything goes and it is right for the city council to test the market rather than try to design something themselves. So I hope investors, developers and the public take it seriously,” he said.

Boraine said he remained of the opinion that sinking the freeways and freeing the land up for development was the ideal solution for the Foreshore.

Open for comment

While the council did not want to reveal the value of the land available for development, it said the value would increase substantially if it were re-zoned for residential and commercial development.

Prospective private sector developers will have until 8 December to submit their proposals along with a scale model of the design. The public will be able to view and comment on the models.

Mayoral committee member for transport Brett Herron said he hoped the city council would be in a position to decide on a preferred bidder before the end of 2017 and start construction within five years.

Transport for Cape Town commissioner Melissa Whitehead said no proposal submitted by UCT students in 2014 was workable in its entirety, but there were aspects from many of the designs that could be incorporated into future development proposals.

These would be included in the prospectus for potential investors to consider.

Whitehead said while it was still possible to reconnect the bridges, an assessment of their structural integrity would have to be done first. Other options would be to reconnect only parts of the bridges, or to build on and off ramps.

Myburgh said by making development pay for construction on the freeways, the council would broaden its rates base.

“It could also tidy up the land adjoining the freeways and prevent possible security problems. A good development can enhance a part of the city that has become very important for the growing tourist industry. And if it includes affordable housing that will be a bonus.”

Cape Argus

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