The Foreshore Freeway Bridge has been standing unfinished for nearly 50 years. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
is home to some that simply make your jaw drop. But there is also one that requires an explanation to someone who is seeing it for the first time. If you’re ever heading to you might come across a bizarre bridge that’s been left standing uncompleted for nearly 50 years.
It’s a strange sight considering that Cape Town is the legislative capital of and the second largest city in the country after . Nevertheless, the , often called the “Unfinished Bridge,” was originally designed to ease traffic congestion in the .
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Construction of the bridge began in the early 1970. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
Construction began in the early 1970s, but work suddenly stopped in 1977 due to budget constraints. Since then, the structure has remained incomplete, with two disconnected sections of roadway suspended in mid-air.
Over the years, the bridge has attracted plenty of speculation. Some urban legends say engineers miscalculated the design, leaving the two ends unable to meet.
Others claim a business owner refused to sell their property, preventing the flyover from being completed.
However, the official explanation remains that the city ran out of money and traffic levels at the time did not justify finishing the project.
Despite its abandoned state, the bridge has become a well-known feature of Cape Town. It has been used as a backdrop for films, advertisements, and fashion shoots.
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Street view of the bridge. (Image: Google)
During the 2010 FIFA World Cup, a 35-metre-long vuvuzela sponsored by Hyundai was placed on one side of the structure, although concerns about noise levels prevented it from being used.
In recent years, the bridge has also become a shelter for the homeless, with people living dangerously close to the drop. Officials have previously acknowledged the issue and said they are working on long-term solutions.
According to , in 2022, the City of Cape Town also confirmed that the bridge had not been forgotten in their budget or future planning.
The outlet reported that the then-Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula responded to parliamentary questions about the structure, estimating that completing the freeway could cost around R1.8 billion (£76m).
The two sections of the bridge abruptly stop mid-air. (Image: Google)
However, city officials said a final budget had not been determined.
Over time, there have been multiple discussions about what to do with the bridge.
In 2018, the city launched a request for proposals from private developers, but the process was later cancelled due to procurement issues.
Some alternative ideas have included turning the space into a public park, a pedestrian walkway, or even a rollercoaster.
For now though the bridge still stands and can be found on Helen Suzman Boulevard.