Paul Sauer Bridge

The Paul Sauer Bridge is a concrete arch bridge spanning the Storms River gorge in Eastern Cape. It features a single large arch that stretches 192 meters across the chasm and rises approximately 123 meters above the water below.

Italian engineer Riccardo Morandi designed this bridge, which was completed in 1956. It represented a major infrastructure achievement in South Africa during the mid-20th century.

The structure represents a milestone in South African engineering, marking the advancement of infrastructure development during the mid-twentieth century.

The bridge sits on National Route 2 between Port Elizabeth and Cape Town and is easily accessible by car. The best time to visit is during daylight hours when you can see the gorge and arch clearly from above.

The bridge was built using an innovative construction method where four separate half-arches were built vertically on opposite sides of the gorge. These elements were then rotated and lowered to meet in the center and form the complete structure.

Inception: 1956

Height: 123 m

Length: 192 m

Made from material: concrete

GPS coordinates: -33.96849,23.93155

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:41