New cable stayed single span bridge replaces the old bridge in Ashton, Western Cape.
The project
The Ashton Bridge is located 150km from Cape Town on the R62, a popular tourist route through the wine making areas of Robertson, leading to the Klein Karoo region of South Africa.
The new cable stayed single span bridge replaced the old bridge whose piers and level meant frequent flooding and overtopping of the old bridge, resulting in the diversion of traffic.
The challenge
The challenge was that we were working in a river bed, with no quick access to escape should flood waters come. The area is known for flash floods and difficult geological conditions of quartzitic boulders.
We were asked for an immediate establishment in order to meet a tight programme as this abutment was not originally designed to be piled.
The solution
Installation of 18 no. 1 050mm diameter temporary cased auger piles on the west abutment only.