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Click to view map Coordinates: | Thomas Bain built a six-metre span stone bridge over the Gats River as part of the original construction of the Tradouw Pass. This was named Letty's Bridge after one of the Barrys. Unfortunately it was washed away in 1875, only two years after the pass was opened. This 12-metre span teak bridge was built higher to replace it and the sobriquet remained. It is no longer used by traffic as it was replaced by a wider concrete bridge in 1966 and named the Andries Uys Bridge. 2017: The area was cleared of bush making the bridge accessible from both sides and the extent of damage could be assessed. Status Update: In 2012 FASSLER KAMSTRA and HOLMES ARCHITECTS identified the Letty's Bridge as being in need of restoration. Conjectural "as-built" drawings have been prepared and substantial timber sections sourced as part of a Project Proposal. Dennis WALTERS - author of Bridging the Eastern Cape - has also identified the bridge as being conservation-worthy and is working together with Fassler Kamstra + Holmes to achieve reinstatement - conceivably together with the reinstatement of Sugar Bridge. This work is on-going. (Marcus HOLMES, 2017) Books that reference Road Bridge over the Gats River - Letty's Bridge
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