An excavation site on Van Riebeeck Avenue has created a hazard for motorists entering Edenvale from the R24.

Taking up most of the left lane, the repair site, which resembles little more than a trench, extends approximately 5m in length and between one and two meters in depth.

Although the repair site had been closed and the hole filled for several weeks, with only rehabilitation needed, it was recently reopened.

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Ward 18 Ald Heather Hart said the reason repair work was initially conducted at the location was because of a burst water pipe.

“About two months ago, there was a major leak here.

“The city was in the process of rehabilitating the site when the pipe burst again,” said Hart.

She said the second pipe burst has since been repaired, and the site just needs to be refilled once more and rehabilitated.

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Because of this, the site needed to be reopened yet again, reducing the avenue from two to one lane and constricting traffic.

With the site reopened, Hart said it now poses a danger to motorists, especially those who may be distracted or those who disregard the speed limit.

“What was also really worrying was that the signage warning motorists of the excavation was lying flat on the ground as if someone had purposely pushed it over.”

Hart appealed to the community to re-erect the signage if they see it knocked over.

Avenues resident and motorist Pule Mvelase said at times, especially at night, the excavation poses a great risk to motorists.

He said sometimes the streetlights along Van Riebeeck Avenue do not work, making it difficult to see the excavation at night.

“Other times, there will be drivers in the right-hand lane who don’t let you move over, forcing you to come to a standstill in the left lane.”

Additionally, because the excavation is located in Edenvale CBD, which contains a mix of businesses and residential units, Mvelase said it poses a risk to pedestrians, especially children living in the area.
“If a two–or three–year–old falls in there, they will be severely injured,” said Mvelase.

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With the large excavation on the main thoroughfare to the entrance to town, Hart said, “I hate that Edenvale looks like little Beirut.”

“It certainly doesn’t make a good impression as you come into town and the first thing you see is this large excavation.”

Hart said that although the excavation is an eyesore to the community and visitors entering the town, she is glad that the leak has been repaired.

“The site should be filled in soon, but what might take longer is the resurfacing and the rehabilitation of the road.

“It’s not just a simple process of patching it up with tar; the entire road surface needs to be redone and reconstructed.”

A request for comment was sent to the City of Ekurhuleni requesting information about the leak, its cause, and when community members can expect the site to be rehabilitated by July 10 at 15:00.
At the time of going to print, no comment was received.