While work is underway to determine the full extent of damage to a bridge on the N1 outbound following a truck crash, the driver is expected in court on Tuesday to face charges of reckless and negligent driving.
The incident caused significant traffic delays and prompted lane closures on Friday.
The City said the truck was impounded. Mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith, said: “The infrastructure, economic, and emotional damage caused by one person’s actions cannot be tolerated. I trust that the court will take these factors into account when dealing with this case. We understand that the trucking industry is an important cog in our economy, but there is a responsibility to ensure that drivers and vehicles are fit for purpose.”
Smith said work was still underway to determine the full extent of the bridge damage, which has led to additional lane closures on the N1.
“I will be liaising with the relevant City departments to ensure that a claim for damages is instituted against the owner of the truck,” said Smith.
Police said the incident was under investigation.
Mayco member for urban mobility, Rob Quintas, described the damage as substantial, leading to the temporary closure of one lane on top of the bridge and the N1 outbound off-ramp to Lower Church Street.
“The timeline for repairs will be established after the next phase of the assessment, which is currently a top priority,” Quintas said.
Quintas noted that while there have been incidents before, none were as severe as this crash.
“The bridge had undergone full rehabilitation a few months ago, with new height restriction signage installed, making it highly visible,” said Quintas.
The driver was among 317 suspects arrested by the City’s enforcement agencies in the past week.
The City Traffic Service said illegal parking, vehicle defects, and unlicensed vehicles were the most common violations.
Traffic services issued 2 502 fines, totaling R1 349 100, during heavy duty vehicle enforcement just on Marine Drive from August 2023 to August 2024.
Cape Times