Paul Sauer Bridge
Paul Sauer Bridge | |
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The N2 concrete arch bridge over the Storms River | |
Coordinates | 33°58′6.56″S 23°55′53.57″E / 33.9684889°S 23.9315472°E |
Carries | N2 national highway. |
Crosses | Storms River |
Locale | Eastern Cape, South Africa |
Characteristics | |
Design | Arch bridge |
Material | Concrete |
Height | 120 metres (394 ft) |
Longest span | 100 metres (328 ft) |
History | |
Designer | Riccardo Morandi |
Construction begin | 1953 |
Construction end | 1956 |
Construction cost | ₤100,000[1] |
The Paul Sauer Bridge, also known as the Storms River Bridge, is a concrete arch bridge over the Storms River in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It carries road traffic for the N2 national highway. The Paul Sauer or Storms River Bridge in South Africa, built between 1953 and 1956, was designed by Italian engineer Riccardo Morandi. The bridge spans 100 metres (328 ft) and sits 120 metres (394 ft) above the river.[2]
Construction
The main arch structure was constructed in a unique fashion: each half of the two (adjacent) arches was built with climbing formwork in an essentially vertical position on opposite sides of the gorge. These were then rotated and lowered into position to meet at the centre, thus forming the completed arch structure.
Located on the beautiful Garden Route (N2), between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth (160 km from Port Elizabeth), it was the highest concrete arch in Africa until 1984 when the Bloukrans Bridge, opened on the same road (height 216 m, site of the world's highest bungee jump).
The Paul Sauer Bridge was renovated in 1986.