Tenders close as fears grow that wind could fell Athlone cooling towers.
Emergency measures have been taken to close the N2 and protect people when the north-westerly wind is stronger than 65km/h – for fear that a strong wind could cause the Athlone cooling towers to be blown over, and that parts of it could fall on this busy highway.
The tenders for the demolition of the two cooling towers of the redundant Athlone power station closed on Friday.
Clive Justus, mayoral committee member for utility services, said the winter wind from the north-west is usually stronger than the south-easterly. At the Athlone cooling towers, this north-westerly wind blows towards the N2. “With a wind speed of over 85km/h, the towers could collapse. We don’t want it to be blown over and have pieces falling on the road,” said Justus.
The provisional demolition date is May 30, which is less than two weeks before the start of the World Cup Soccer Tournament. One of FIFA’s requirements is that the N2 in particular – as an important route between the Cape Town International Airport and the CBD – must be in perfect condition.
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