Foreshore Freeway Bridge
Helen Suzman Blvd, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8000About
Location :
Added by Jopie, at 10 December 2017
Gallery
Add missing information
5 Reviews
-
04 April 2019
Perhaps the most famous symbol of Cape Town! (after Table Mountain)
In the 1960s, city planners designed a new road network for Cape Town, which should connect the neighborhoods at the harbor with the city center. Around 1970 began the construction of a new freeways, in the course of which the construction of the Foreshore Freeway Bridge was provided. Until 1977, the driveways were built at both ends of the proposed bridge, the construction but then stopped and not continued, although between the built ramps at the ends of the bridge still missing about 260 meters of the building. Since then, the functionless building has been at the center of many urban legends and speculations. It is said that the engineers did not recognize a calculation error until it was already too late. Another variant states that suddenly the car traffic would have decreased. In order to save costs, one had the construction aborted as a precaution - and not blasted again, too expensive. Even a shopkeeper, who did not want to sell his land for bridge construction, circulated as a reason for the demolition of the building. However, none of the explanations are proven to be reliable.
Probably, because the policy of the present usually wants to spend little money on the problems of the future, the construction was then simply discontinued, without further information of reasons
Since the construction freeze, the bridge has been used artistically again and again. For film sets (Speed) or photo shoots with models or giant vuvuzuela during the Football World Cup 2010.
Or, maybe you should orient yourself at the New York High Line Park?
It has been converted into a park with gardens and cafes and is now a tourist attraction.
Furthermore, architects suggested letting a waterfall jump over the cliff.
At the beginning of 2018, the city council of Cape Town announced that the construction of the freeway and thus the bridge should be resumed. In addition to the completion of the bridge, several new skyscrapers and additional infrastructure are to be built. It looks like plans from Cape Town-based engineering firm Mitchell Du Plessis Associates (MDA), which plans to complete the bridge, are accepted.
Well, you will seeresponse / report this review -
10 March 2019
The Unfinished Freeway is a wonderful location to film an international advert. Right in the heart of one of the most beautiful cities in the world; Cape Town. Especially a vehicle scene. A beautiful evening in the Mother City. Table mountain obliges by being partially covered in shimmering clouds - called the table cloth by the locals. Efficient friendly crew. The hero car, a beautiful black Mercedes Benz, adds style and elegance to the advert. The oh so hunky leading man, Julian Nelson, is as nice as he is handsome. Directors and crew handle the filming with all the skill of an international shoot. The sun fades and the magnificent city comes alive with twinkling, flashing lights. The wind gets up but does not interrupt the workings of the shoot. Delicious hot coffee and chocolate are served to keep everyone warm. The practice runs done and the "roll cameras" and "action" , last called. A tired and happy crew finish at 01h00. A job well done. Now the exciting anticipation for the viewing.
response / report this review -
17 February 2019
Might as well cordon it off and treat it as a work of art. This bridge represents South Africa's great rise and inglorious end.
response / report this review -
19 January 2018
Foreshore highway plans were created in 1963. Construction began immediately and was halted in the early 1970s.
It is also called the Invisible Highway, because its ends were not joined, for various reasons.
The abandoned highway is used for artistic purposes.response / report this review -
17 December 2017
Seen an insurance advertisement using the a vehicle to prop reversing off the bridge. And till to day it's a must see
response / report this review
