- Original Toll Gate (1866–1901): Durban’s council built a toll system to fund road improvements (especially Berea Road) for ox-wagons and other traffic in the 1850s–1860s. Travelers paid fees (e.g., for wagons or horses), but foot passengers were free. The toll house and gate were demolished in 1901 when the toll laws expired.
- A bridge was later built in the same area, which locals named Tollgate Bridge (or Toll Gate Bridge). It became a well-known spot, serving as the turnaround point for trolley buses and marking a former western boundary of Durban (near Ridge Road).
The bridge you’re likely referring to from around 1950 is part of Durban’s road evolution. An earlier concrete bridge spanned Berea Road. This was later replaced or upgraded during the development of the Western Freeway (also known as Kinmont’s Canyon), a major excavation and highway project that changed the area’s layout. The current arched concrete bridge over the N3 Western Freeway (heading west from the CBD through areas like Sherwood and Mayville) carries the Tollgate name.
In the 1950s, Berea Road was still a main route into the city before the full freeway changes. The area around Tollgate was a recognizable viewpoint for entering/leaving Durban.
Today
- The bridge remains a landmark, especially visible from the freeway and during events like the Comrades Marathon (runners climb through this area).
- It’s in the Berea/Mayville area, with the N3 passing underneath or nearby.
- The name preserves Durban’s early transport and boundary history.
If you’re looking for photos from around 1950, historical images of the old bridge, trolley buses, or the area during freeway construction, let me know for more specifics! There are archival photos on local history sites showing the original setup and later developments.
Anything else about its history, location, or current state?
