JRA comments on Juweel bridge
DOUGLASDALE - Following the flooding of the Juweel Road bridge in Douglasdale on 17 February, the Johannesburg Road Agency has given the Fourways Review an action plan of how the agency will be tackling the issue in the area.
According to Johannesburg Road Agency media liaison officer, Bertha Peters-Scheepers, the agency will be attending to the issue.
She said, “This road was resurfaced two weeks ago and following a site inspection earlier this week, the cause of the flooding was found to be due to the sheer volume of water as bridge culverts are clear and no blockages occurred.” She went on to say, the sheer volume of water and the backwash from the bridge led to the flooding as the culverts could not deal with the capacity of water.
“Our team has been working to remove the sludge and debris on the road surface, as well as mend the railings to facilitate access for road users. City Parks will be on site to remove the plant and tree material,” said Peters-Scheepers.
It was reported that according to Ward 115 councillor Chris Santana, the flooding was due to the bridge taking strain from all the debris and tree cut-offs in the river. He noted that he had lodged complaints with the agency two weeks prior to the flooding, communicating his concerns with the increase of debris found in the river.
“The overgrown trees and debris are causing strain on the bridge, and heavy rainfall exacerbates the situation,” he said.
He believes this the City’s response is a ‘passing of the buck’ and said the community is bearing the brunt of it.
Read our previous story, Bridge on Juweel Street floods; traffic flow impacted.
How were your travels affected by the bridge? Tweet @Fourways_News and let us know.
