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South Africa s Large-Span Bridge

Fiber and communications infrastructure knowledge brief Published 17 Jul 2026

Prepared for preliminary research by the ROGER FIBRE knowledge desk. Confirm optical interfaces, port or core capacity, electrical input and output, enclosure protection, thermal design and installation limits against current standards and product documentation.

The Mtentu Bridge, currently under construction in the Eastern Cape, will be Africa's tallest bridge at 223 meters and one of the continent's longest main-span balanced cantilever bridges with a 260-meter central span.

Overview

The Mtentu Bridge spans the Mtentu River near Lundini on South Africa's Wild Coast and forms a key part of the N2 Wild Coast Toll Road (N2WCR) project, which aims to improve connectivity between East London and the KwaZulu-Natal border while reducing travel times by up to three hours and stimulating local economies along the route.

Dimensions and Design

Total length: 1,133 meters (1. 13 km)Deck height: 223 meters above the Mtentu River valleyMain span: 260 meters, making it one of the longest balanced cantilever spans globallyDesign type: Multi-span balanced cantilever box girder bridge, optimized for steep, forested terrain The bridge was designed by a consortium including SMEC South Africa, CH2M (now Jacobs), Axis, and Dissing+Weitling for architectural design, with geotechnical and wind assessments conducted by local and international experts. The design carefully considered aerodynamic stability, seismic loading, and environmental impact, with multiple alternatives evaluated before selecting the final balanced-cantilever approach.

Construction and Timeline

Construction began in November 2017, with the bridge component starting in January 2018. Work was temporarily halted due to community protests and contractual disputes but resumed under a new joint venture between China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) and MECSA Construction Company in November 2022. Estimated completion: December 2027Total cost: Approximately R4.

5 billion (~$270 million)Construction method: Balanced cantilever, suitable for long spans in challenging terrain SignificanceOnce completed, the Mtentu Bridge will: Be Africa's tallest bridge and among the world's longest main-span balanced cantilever bridgesEnhance regional transport efficiency and support heavy freight movementServe as a landmark engineering achievement and a symbol of modern infrastructure development in South Africa The bridge's combination of height, span, and technical complexity makes it a major milestone in African civil engineering, comparable to other global long-span cantilever bridges.

South Africa s Large-Span Bridge - ROGER FIBRE ATELIER [PDF]

South Africa s Large-Span Bridge

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• Bruce, B.C.; Brodrick, G.J. (April 1984). "Construction aspects of the Garden Route bridges". Civil Engineering. 26 (4). South African Institution Of Civil Engineering (SAICE): 205–216. hdl:10520/AJA10212019_18861. ISSN 1021-2000.• Huisman, H.L. (December 1972). "The Gourits River bridges". Civil Engineering. 14 (12). South African Institution Of Civil Engineering (SAICE): 393–394. hdl:10520/AJA10212019_18069. ISSN 1021-2000.

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