Knysna Deputy Executive Mayor Esmé Edge unveiled a commemorative plaque on Tuesay at the official reopening of the Red Bridge which underwent a R3.2m facelift.
"When the concrete White Bridge was constructed on the N2 in 1955 the Department of Transport and Public Works, who owns the bridge, granted the municipality exclusive use of the bridge as a pipeline crossing," Edge said.
She said the Red Bridge currently supports the main raw water pipeline that conveys more than 80% of Knysna's potable water from the abstraction point at Charlesford to the town. Corrosion of this metal structure necessitated the recent works.
"Corroded elements needed to be replaced and the entire structure has now been protected against corrosion," said Edge. "And while the bridge was cleaned by abrasive blast cleaning, great efforts were made to ensure that we contained any potential pollution of the estuary and also minimised the amount of noise associated with an operation of this nature."
An additional pipeline will be installed in the future to assist in managing the area's increasing demand for potable water.
"We are committed to providing our residents with clean water," Edge continued. "Our region experienced a major drought in 2009/2010 and we have already done a lot to ensure that our residents have sufficient access to potable water - even at times of drought. The refurbishment of the Red Bridge and the envisaged additional pipeline prove this commitment: our commitment to creating a town where people and nature prosper."
The Deputy Mayor also reminded residents that they make use of the Red Bridge at their own risk.
