The newly completed Ashton Arch is South Africa’s first concrete tied arch bridge constructed using a transverse launching method.
The bridge was constructed in the town of Ashton, Western Cape, on Trunk Road 31 Sections 2 (start of “Route 62”, an important tourist destination and national road) crossing the Cogmanskloof River.
Ashton Arch bridge replaces an existing multi-arch bridge, built in the 1930’s.
The new tied-arch bridge comprises a cable-supported concrete deck which spans 110 metres between supports with arching ribs rising 22 metres above the asphalt road surface.
The superstructure, which was completed mid 2020 adjacent to the existing road-alignment, is being launched transversely into its final position onto the adjacent recently completed substructure.
“It represents a proud monument for the Western Cape department of transport and public works, the people of the Ashton-Montagu area, and all the contractors, labourers and suppliers who were involved in the project,” the construction team said in a statement on the project website.
Watch the move of the Ashton Arch Bridge: