FOUNDATIONS FOR LARGE M.E.G.A. MARKET PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE COMPLETED

Gauteng Piling was appointed by main contractor, Enza Construction, to provide the foundations for a large pedestrian bridge for the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA) International Fresh Produce Market at Mbombela, a long-awaited new initiative by the trade and investment arm of the provincial government earmarked to spark new economic growth in Mpumalanga.

The large-scaled market, reported to cost over R1 billion, and scheduled for completion early next year, will provide an outlet for produce emanating from small-scale black farmers in the Lowveld province that produces most of South Africa’s fruit and vegetables.

Keoatlaretse Tema, Gauteng Piling’s site manager for the major project constructed on vacant land by Enza Construction, says the 1 260m2 concrete foot bridge will link the market with a large taxi rank. The foundations for the bridge required 32 piles 450mm in diameter sunk to depths varying between 8m to 15m. Steel cages of 300mm in diameter provide reinforcement for the concrete piles. “Gauteng Piling had to bring one of its Williams auger diggers from its base in Diepsloot, Johannesburg to handle this project for which we also employed local labour,” Tema explained.

Gauteng Pilling employed straight shafted auger drilling for this project. During this process, soil and rock were loosened and removed on a continual basis to gradually create the cavity in preparation for concrete piling. A major benefit of this type of drilling is that it can be conducted with comparatively low noise and vibration levels. Furthermore, assembly of the piles is relatively quick and does not require any temporary casing.

Gauteng Piling, which completed the MEGA foundations at the end of May 2021, is this year celebrating 25 years in piling. Among projects handled in this anniversary year by Gauteng Piling are:  

• Stabilising a massive, gaping sinkhole near residences in Irene, Centurion;
• Forest Mansions apartment block in Bramley;
• Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) campus in eMalahleni;
• Capital Hotel in Mbombela; and
• Offices for the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) in Mahikeng.:
• The new luxury Tree Tops apartment block being developed by Tricolt in Houghton;
• Entrance and expansion of Cresta Shopping Centre in Randburg;
• Facility for diving rescue training for the University of Johannesburg’s Medical Rescue students in Auckland Park;
• Storage tanks of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Nigel; and
• Expansion of the Africa Floorcare warehouse in Alberton.