The incident resulted in substantial damage to the bridge, leading to the closure of all lanes on this critical route.
According to Mayco member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, the driver of the vehicle has been arrested and the truck has been impounded as investigators assess the extent of the damage.
The collision forced emergency responders to act swiftly, with engineers deploying cranes to conduct structural repairs throughout the night.
By early Monday morning, as dawn broke over the city, the N1 highway was fully reopened to traffic. Ward 115 councillor Ian McMahon announced at 05:00 that the thoroughfare connecting the city centre to the outlying areas was now back in operation, allowing commuters to resume their journeys without further delay.
‘The initial repair efforts were extensive,’ McMahon elaborated. ‘Engineers used two cranes to lift and realign a 100-tonne section of the bridge, ensuring its safety for public use.’
This massive undertaking began soon after the truck struck the bridge, requiring meticulous planning and coordination to resolve the immediate concerns of both the structure and the public’s safety.
As the dust settles from this incident, McMahon also highlighted that the City of Cape Town intends to hold the truck company accountable for all charges and costs incurred due to the bridge damage and subsequent traffic disruptions.
‘This is a reminder that safety is paramount, and responsibility must be taken to ensure our roads remain safe for all users,’ he stressed.
With the bridge now secure and traffic flowing once more, authorities are focusing on longer-term solutions to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The City is reviewing the bridge’s design and clearance requirements to improve safety for both vehicles and pedestrians.
7am- Update: N1 fully reopens after emergency pedestrian bridge repairs
Cape Town’s N1 inbound and outbound lanes are fully open for the Monday morning commute after emergency repairs to the damaged FW de Klerk Boulevard pedestrian bridge were completed, with all debris removed, in the early hours of 12 October.
The City of Cape Town confirmed the reopening in an update issued by Urban Mobility MMC Rob Quintas at 04:30 on Monday.
‘The preliminary repair efforts saw the pedestrian bridge over the N1 between Church Street and the CBD on FW De Klerk Boulevard made safe by two cranes lifting a 100-tonne section of the bridge and realigning it after the bridge was damaged by a truck on Saturday night,’ the update read.
‘Job scoping for remedial and aesthetic repairs will begin this week.’
Picture: Councillor Yusuf Mohamed / Facebook
Cape Town N1 closed after truck damages Lower Church Street bridge
11 October
Residents and motorists in Cape Town are facing significant traffic disruptions on Sunday evening after a truck collided with the Lower Church Street pedestrian bridge on the N1 highway this morning, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The impact of the collision has resulted in a partial road closure both inbound and outbound from the city centre to Woodstock, raising concerns about congestion and safety in the area.
The heavy flatbed truck was reportedly transporting a large industrial tank when it struck the underside of the bridge, dislodging not only its heavy load but also damaging the bridge structure itself.
Eyewitness accounts describe a dramatic scene as the truck tipped over, causing concrete debris to scatter across multiple outbound traffic lanes.
Structural engineers have been dispatched to assess the integrity of the bridge, while City Emergency Services, Fire & Rescue, and Law Enforcement immediately secured the scene.
‘This road closure follows a major collision that occurred early this morning,’ said Councillor Rob Quintas, City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility.
He explained that the incident resulted in extensive structural damage, with severe concrete spalling and exposed reinforcing steel evident along the underside of the bridge deck.
Cleanup crews are currently hard at work, removing heavy debris to ensure the thoroughness of the inspection process.
As of now, the City has not provided a timeframe for when the affected stretch of road will reopen, stating that it is contingent upon the outcome of the structural inspection.
‘At the moment, we can’t really say when this road will be open. It is pending the outcome of inspection. The City aims to reopen the road as soon as possible, subject to structural safety clearance,’ Quintas added.
Motorists are strongly advised to avoid the N1 section near Lower Church Street and to utilise alternative routes including Albert Road/Sir Lowry Road through Woodstock or Salt River to reconnect further downstream.
Additionally, the N2 outbound (Nelson Mandela Boulevard) is being suggested as a primary detour from the city centre.
Authorities are encouraging drivers to exercise patience during this period of disruption as efforts to clear the debris and assess the bridge continue.
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Picture: Cape Town News & Traffic
