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ZAR Road Bridge over the Crocodile River, 'Schoeman's Bridge'
Hartbeespoort district, North West

DEPARTEMENT VAN PUBLIEKE WERKEN - ZUID-AFRIKAANSCHE REPUBLIEK: Architect
William Stapleton ROYCE: Contractor
Date:1891-1917
Client:Roads Department
Type:Bridge
Style:Eclectic ZA Wilhelmiens
Status:Inundated

The bridge was erected along the old transport road between Pretoria and Rustenburg across the Crocodile River on the farm Schoemansrus. It was originally planned as a single span of 12m. However seasonal damming of the river required that this be changed to two spans of 12m, later adapted to three spans of 12m. The superstructure of triangulated steel trusses was carried on two abutments and two regularly spaced piers. It was named the 'Schoemansbrug' at the opening ceremony. Severe flooding on 10 February 1893 washed away and severely damaged the superstructure, carrying pieces some 1,5 kilometres downstream, requiring that some of this be replaced with sections imported from Germany. JJ KIRKNESS was awarded the contract, the bridge supports were raised 1,5m and the works completed in 1894. The Hartebeespoort Dam was constructed from 1921 to 1924 the bridge was inundated. The steel superstructure was demolished and the bridge stone sub-structure submerged beneath the rising waters.


Books and articles that reference ZAR Road Bridge over the Crocodile River, 'Schoeman's Bridge'

Erasmus, Koos and Friebus, Hein. 2008. Vergete padbrûe van die ZAR : 'n oorsig van die padbrûe wat gebou en beplan is tydens die regering van die Zuid-Afrikaanse Republiek. Centurion: Koos Erasmus and Hein Friebus: . pg 37-39