Key Takeaways:
- The Foreshore Freeway Bridge in Cape Town has been left unfinished since construction was halted in 1977.
- The project was intended to relieve traffic congestion in the city and connect the city centre with the northern suburbs.
- Several factors contributed to the project’s abandonment, including cost overruns and resistance from engineers.
- Despite being left untouched for nearly 50 years, the bridge has been used for various purposes, including as a film set and a parking lot.
- There have been proposals to complete the bridge, but no concrete plans have been made due to the high estimated cost.
Introduction to the Foreshore Freeway Bridge Project
The Foreshore Freeway Bridge project in Cape Town has remained a mystery for nearly 50 years, with construction on the project coming to a halt in 1977. The unfinished bridge, which runs alongside Helen Suzman Boulevard, has become a familiar sight for Capetonians and visitors to the city. The bridge’s purpose was to cross Buitengracht Street and link up with the N1, but it has stood idle for decades, a reminder of the city’s unfinished plans.
History of the Foreshore Freeway Bridge Project
The idea for the Foreshore Freeway Bridge dates back to the 1940s and 1950s, when Cape Town experienced increasing congestion. City planners began conceptualizing ways to ease traffic in the busier parts of town, such as Adderley Street. At the same time, the city explored the idea of building road infrastructure along the foreshore. Solomon Morris, the City Engineer in the 1960s, developed a plan for a ring road and elevated freeway system, which aimed to relieve congestion, prepare for future population growth, and link the city centre with the northern suburbs.
The Abandonment of the Project
Construction on the project began in the 1970s, starting on either end of the bridge. However, it was stalled in 1977 and never resumed. Several factors contributed to the project’s abandonment, including cost overruns and resistance from engineers who argued that future traffic could not justify the cost. There are also claims that the two sides of the bridge did not line up and that there were land acquisition disputes. Despite the project’s abandonment, the bridge has remained a topic of interest, with several proposals made over the years to complete it and relieve the congestion experienced in the city.
Proposals and Plans for the Bridge’s Completion
In 2003, South Africa’s Transport Ministry estimated that completing the bridge would cost around R1.8 billion. In 2012, students at the University of Cape Town were invited to submit redesigns for the bridge, with over 600 submissions made. Ideas included a skate park, a public park, and an elevated walkway. The City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Roberto Quintas, stated in 2018 that the metro was conducting a feasibility study for the bridge’s construction. However, it is reported that the city has no plans to continue construction anytime soon.
Current Use of the Bridge
Despite being left untouched for nearly 50 years, the bridge has been used for various purposes. The bridge, particularly on the Atlantic Seaboard side, has attracted film crews from all over the world. The height of the bridge alongside Helen Suzman Boulevard provides an ideal setting for a film set with a city backdrop, without having to actually film on a busy road. The bridge has been used as a filming location for several productions, including the TV series "Black Mirror." Additionally, the area below the Atlantic Seaboard onramp has been converted into a parking lot for Cape Town’s MyCiti buses, while the area below the Western onramp is a parkade near the CTICC.
Conclusion
The Foreshore Freeway Bridge in Cape Town remains a fascinating example of an unfinished project that has become a part of the city’s landscape. While there have been proposals to complete the bridge, the high estimated cost and lack of concrete plans have left it standing idle for nearly 50 years. Despite this, the bridge has found new uses, from film sets to parking lots, and continues to be a topic of interest for Capetonians and visitors alike. As the city continues to grow and develop, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for this unfinished bridge.