Will the Foreshore Freeway Bridge ever get completed?

As the end of last year approached, it looked as if the answer was no, but now the answer appears to be leaning towards yes.

Since construction ended in 1977, the unfinished bridge has become somewhat of a tourist attraction, and is also a popular movie and fashion shoot location.

But all that could change.

Notifying bidders on Monday, the City announced that Mitchell Du Plessis Projects (Pty) Ltd is the qualifying bidder for the development of the Foreshore Freeway Precinct in Cape Town, reports News24:

“Seven proposals were received from the private sector by the submission date of 9 February 2017.

“After an initial screening for responsiveness, six proposals were exhibited in the civic centre in March last year.”

“MDA’s [Mitchell Du Plessis Associates] proposal entails, among others, the completion of the unfinished sections of the freeways – these are the connections to and from Helen Suzman Boulevard; and the connections to and from the N1 and N2 freeways.”

One step closer to resolving Cape Town’s traffic issues? Perhaps:

Along with the highway, the development process will include a combination of approximately 3 200 market-related residential units, and a minimum of 450 affordable residential units:

“MDA proposes to complete the unfinished highways, and to finance or cross-subsidise the new roads and affordable residential units through the development of upmarket and mid-market residential units.

“It is proposed that the market-related residential units be located in 11 new tower blocks with heights ranging between 63m, 123m and 143m with views of the mountain, sea and harbour.”

The proposal suggests that the different heights and location of the towers will ensure that the iconic views of Table Mountain and the sea from the harbour and public spaces are retained.

How considerate:

Negotiations between MDA and the City will commence once the period for other bidders to lodge any disputes, objections, complaints and queries has expired.

From there, an agreement would be concluded and BAM, the unfinished Foreshore bridge will become a footnote in the history of Cape Town.

Cue years of roadworks and a new place called Danny’s:

Weird.

[source:news24]