Helen Joseph Bridge opens ahead of schedule

Platinum Weekly newspaper | Rustenburg – In what many residents are calling a welcome surprise, the Helen Joseph interchange bridge has reopened far earlier than expected – officially on 9 December 2025 – easing one of the city’s most persistent traffic bottlenecks.

The bridge, originally scheduled to remain closed until 30 July 2026, became a daily source of frustration for thousands of commuters, but the construction teams exceeded even the most optimistic predictions. Local resident Horick Demister was among the first to walk across the newly restored structure. He said that the rapid progress made it “feel like a new pair of shoes.”

The rapid turnaround was led by Raubex Group Limited, the construction and engineering company responsible for the project. Site manager Bernard Vos explained that the team felt a strong responsibility to act quickly because of the bridge’s importance to Rustenburg’s infrastructure. He noted that the closure had a significant impact on the daily lives and economic activity of residents and commuters, and that this awareness drove the company to allocate additional resources to speed up the work. Vos praised the collective effort behind the scenes, describing the project’s success as a testament to exceptional teamwork, careful planning, and unwavering dedication from engineers, contractors, and on-site workers. Although the task was far from easy, the team ensured the bridge was restored both swiftly and to the highest standard of quality.

Bakwena’s PR Manager, Charmaine van Wyk, confirmed that the bridge is now open to the public. She added that while a few finishing touches will continue into early next year, these remaining tasks will not affect the safe use of the bridge. She expressed appreciation for the community’s patience and support throughout the process.

With the Helen Joseph bridge back in service, traffic in and around Rustenburg is expected to improve significantly, particularly for residents of Protea Park, Safarituine, Azalea Park and nearby areas. Combined with the earlier-than-scheduled reopening of the Kruger Street bridge, the city is finally seeing the benefits of the ongoing N4 upgrade, after months of congestion and uncertainty.

The restored bridge is more than a structural milestone; it represents relief, reconnection, and renewed momentum for Rustenburg’s commuters.

Photo: Sign of the times: Crews remove the “N4 Crossing Closed” board as the bridge returns to service.