LIMPOPO MEC for roads and transport Pinkie Kekana has ordered officials in her road infrastructure unit to regravel an alternative road after the bridge at Khalavha village outside Thohoyandou collapsed.

LIMPOPO MEC for roads and transport Pinkie Kekana has ordered officials in her road infrastructure unit to regravel an alternative road after the bridge at Khalavha village outside Thohoyandou collapsed.

The Fondwo bridge collapsed on Monday morning after heavy rains in the Thohoyandou area.

Two bakkies were extensively damaged when the bridge collapsed. One driver was slightly injured.

The road has since been closed for traffic pending a thorough investigation by the provincial transport department into the cause of the collapse.

Kekana, accompanied by two engineers from the Roads Agency Limpopo who were to assess initial damages to the bridge, visited the site on Wednesday.

The Fondwo bridge is on the Nzhelele to Sibasa road outside Thohoyandou.

Kekana said she had ordered the road infrastructure department to regravel an alternative road "for easy use by motorists".

"On top of that, I have also spoken to RAL chairperson Sello Rasethaba to prioritise the repairing of Fondwo bridge because a large number of people have been affected by its collapse."

Kekana said the RAL would have to appoint consulting engineers to do a comprehensive assessment and cost estimate before repairing the bridge.

"Depending on the report from the engineers, appropriate action will be undertaken to ensure the safety of our people," she said.

The bridge was officially opened by the late Venda paramount Chief Patrick Mphephu in 1981.

Kekana said preparations for the rebuilding of Lotanyanda bridge, which collapsed a year ago, were almost complete.

The Lotanyanda bridge is between Louis Trichardt and Thohoyandou.

The tender for rebuilding of the bridge was issued last week. The department is expected to award it at the beginning of next year, she said.