Alberton’s Big Hole
The section of Michelle Avenue between the R59 Sybrand van Niekerk Off-ramp and Johan van der Merwe Street towards Meyersdal has been closed after a part of the road collapsed.
The sink hole appeared on December 27 and has since grown in size.
“My concern is that even if they fill it in properly the rest of the road could collapse as well! This is a very busy road,” Alberton resident Robin Wilson commented on the sinkhole.
His concerns are valid; since he took the first photos the hole has grown considerably.
“Rand Water is currently busy installing new water main lines in Alberton. It was decided that the pipes must be jacked underneath the main roads to minimise disruption to traffic.
Due to poor soil conditions and the infiltration of rain water the area under Michelle Avenue collapsed,” Ekurhuleni Metro spokesperson Themba Gadebe said.
The hole was temporarily covered for safety measures, but has since grown, as permanent repairs will commence from the week of January 12.
Currently one lane has been converted on the concurrent side of the road and traffic attendants will be on site to assist with traffic control.
According to an engineer on site the repairs are estimated to take three to four weeks.
