Hodges Bridge

Hodges Bridge, located at the southwestern end of Cogmanskloof, was the first road bridge built in the dramatic kloof and marked the start of the historic Cogmanskloof Pass. It opened in January 1872 and formed part of the first completed section of the pass, constructed from the Ashton side of the Langeberg Mountains.

The bridge was named after Frederick Hodges, resident magistrate of Robertson and chairman of the divisional council. Hodges played a key role in securing funding from the Cape government for the bridge and road construction. The official opening on 10 January 1872 was a major event. Businesses in Montagu and Robertson closed, and residents gathered to watch Hodges, escorted by a 30-horseman guard of honour, declare the bridge and road section open. He later rode through the kloof and was formally thanked by the people of Montagu.

Hodges Bridge consists of two stone-masonry culverts, each with a rectangular opening for water flow. The bridge decks were originally constructed from Yellowwood beams, later partially replaced and reinforced with concrete. Inscriptions remain on both sections: “Unity is strength” on the Ashton side and “Welcome to Montagu over the Hodges Bridge” on the opposite side.

Five years later, in 1877, Thomas Bain completed the full Cogmanskloof Pass, providing Montagu and the Little Karoo with improved access to the western Cape Colony. The road was realigned in the 1950s and underwent major reconstruction between 2015 and 2021.

As traffic volumes increased, Hodges Bridge—also known as Hortjiesbrug—fell into disuse. The road upgrades included the construction of three newer bridges: the Boy Retief Bridge near Ashton, the Loftus Bridge beneath the tunnel, and the Voortrekker Bridge at the Montagu entrance.