Fasteners - hdgasa

General
Corrosion protection of a
giant cross that protects
Van Staden Bridge
A member of the Hot Dip Galvanizers
Association of Southern Africa, Galvanising
Techniques has been part of a visionary
project taking place in the Eastern Cape.
In the 41 years since it was opened in
November 1971, 87 people have jumped to
their deaths from the concrete arch bridge
over the Van Staden River near Port
Elizabeth.
At the end of last year a man was given a
vision to create something that would help
to protect and turn away the distraught
people that come to this bridge to end
their lives. That man was Robbie Hift and
the vision he had was to build a giant
cross on the mountainside facing the
infamous bridge.
Very quickly Hift’s vision was caught by
many others, including the farmer who
owns the land where the cross is to be
erected. An architectural technologist and
a structural engineer offered their services
for free and designed a scale diagram for
the steel cross. Land was cleared and a 3m
steel pedestal (see photo) capable of
supporting the 14m high cross was
embedded in a deep concrete foundation.
This foundation is strong enough to
provide support for the cross to withstand
winds of up to 200km an hour.
Dave Truter, the owner of Trekliners in Port
Elizabeth caught the vision, and he
promised, “When the steel cross is built,
we will clad it with white plastic to make it
visible from 800 meters across the Van
Stadens Valley”.
Brian Van Niekerk, the managing director
of Rhino Plastics in Port Elizabeth
promised to illuminate the entire structure
with the most up to date technology, using
solar lighting. But Robbie Hift’s biggest
challenge was to find the R100 000 he
needed to purchase the steel and the
money needed to construct it and protect
it against corrosion.
For hot dip galvanizing with
service excellence
• 12 400 long x 1 400 wide x 2 600
deep kettle
• Shot blasting
• Technical assistance
• Collection and delivery service
• Open Saturdays
• SABS ISO 1461 accredited
52 Burman Road, Deal Party, Port Elizabeth
Tel.: 041-486-1432 Fax: 041-486-1439
Taking courage from the enthusiastic
support of so many, Robbie then
approached the first steel company. To
his astonishment, the marketing
manager immediately offered to
contribute some of the steel required
and suggested he contact other steel
suppliers in the Eastern Cape to share
the load. They caught the vision and his
steel supply was secured!
Next, Jan Gunn the owner of G Force
Engineering in Jeffreys’ Bay offered to
build the cross and then Ian Parker from
Metalman in Port Elizabeth bent over
backwards to help. Ian committed to hot
dip galvanize the components saying, “You
give us all the sections of the steel cross
and we will hot dip galvanize them free of
charge. That cross will never rust!”
The giant cross’ final protection comes
from Smhart Security, a large security firm
in the Eastern Cape. The owner, Carl
Trahms offered to organise palisade
fencing and provide life-long security
against vandals. It seems that all remains
to be said is that “It’s the steel that makes
the vision real!” Follow the progress as the
story unfolds at www.ecmirror.co.za.
16 Hot Dip Galvanizing Today Volume 10 Issue 2 2013