Foreshore Freeway Bridge

The Foreshore Freeway Bridge, also known as Cape Town’s “unfinished bridge,” was part of a big infrastructure project that was conceptualized in the late 1960s. Traffic congestion was predicted to increase in the years to come, and a ring highway was suggested as a solution to foster better traffic flow with as little disturbance as possible.

The construction started in the early 1970s but stopped without any clear explanation in 1977. Its sudden end has spawned urban legends that try to explain why the construction came to such an abrupt halt.

One theory is that a shopkeeper refused to sell his property so the bridge could pass though it, effectively grinding construction to a halt. Another one is that a construction error made it impossible to link the two ends of the bridge together.

Numerous attempts to finish construction have been made over the years, but have all failed for one reason or another. As recently as February 2018, a contractor was chosen to complete the unfinished highways but work was, once again, halted, this time because of alleged tender irregularities.

For the time being, the bridge will stay the way it is and continue to be used as a parking space, the backdrop for TV shows and fashion shoots, or maybe again as a stand for a giant vuvuzela like it was during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.