Construction company Aveng said on Monday the Aveng Strabag joint venture (ASJV) has terminated its contract with the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) to build the R1.65bn Mtentu bridge in the Eastern Cape. The decision follows violent protest action against the project, which entails building the 1.1km-long bridge across the Mtentu River on the N2 Wild Coast. With the nearby Msikaba Bridge, the Mtentu Bridge is part of an improvement to make the N2 Wild Coast toll road shorter and faster. Aveng, which is in a joint venture with Europe-based Strabag International, said the contractors have not been on site since October 22 “due to threats of violence and levels of community unrest and protest action related to demands made against Sanral”. Aveng said the construction companies disagree with Sanral’s assertion that it is safe to continue with the construction. “The [joint venture] does not agree with Sanral’s view and related events do not support Sanral’s view. The ability ...

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