In light of the highly publicised Genoa bridge collapse, in Italy, as well as the abrupt closure of Johannesburg’s M2 east highway, questions surrounding the structural integrity of South African bridges have been raised. Bridges that fall within the South African National Road Agency Limited’s (Sanral’s) ambit are in good condition, but those under the auspices of provincial or local government tend to vary from being in a good to a very poor condition.