The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has announced that they will be closing parts of the M2 motorway for rehabilitation from February 28, citing “structural defects” as the reason.

According to the JRA, the safety of the Selby section of the M2 bridge could not be assured and therefore had to be closed.

A statement from the Johannesburg transport department says Joburg mayor Herman Mashaba had previously raised concerns about the Karzene and Selby sections of the M2 bridge, which he said “posed a danger to road users” and needed to be closed for repairs.

The motorway will be closed between the Crown Interchange and Maritzburg Street in Johannesburg.

The closure of the motorway – expected to last until October 2019 – will affect several on-ramps, which will have to be closed, and affected motorists are advised to seek alternative routes.

Mashaba has posted a link to a live video feed of him brief media on the closure.

Today, I'm briefing the media on the full closure of the M2 Bridge https://t.co/iBKLfBa09U — Herman Mashaba (@HermanMashaba) February 18, 2019

#JoburgUpdates STATEMENT: City to brief residents on major announcement regarding M2 Bridge ^GZ pic.twitter.com/Ic98pjH5vM — City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) February 18, 2019

The safety of the Selby bridge cannot be guaranteed for continuous use by motorists and thus the decision for a closure of the M2 between Crown Interchange and Maritzburg street is necessary. #M2FullClosure @CityofJoburgZA @CoJTransport — Joburg Roads Agency (@MyJRA) February 18, 2019

The M2 Selby and Karsene bridge repairs and rehabilitation work is underway and the planned completion date is end of October 2019. #M2FullClosure @CityofJoburgZA @CoJTransport — Joburg Roads Agency (@MyJRA) February 18, 2019

(Compiled by Daniel Friedman)

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