Debris blocking the Platina Bridge in Jukskei Park has now been cleared, bringing relief to residents after renewed fears of possible flooding at the crossing.
Ward 115 councillor Mark van der Merwe confirmed that Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has addressed the blockages, following concerns that debris accumulation could once again restrict water flow during heavy rains.
“Eventually, JRA has handled the blockages to the Platina Bridge. Thank you to our JRA regional manager for driving this action.”
Read more: Councillor raises concerns over repeated flood risk at Platina Bridge
The update follows a warning issued by the councillor earlier this month, when he raised an alarm that debris was building up at the bridge and had not been cleared since it was reported. At the time, Van der Merwe cautioned that the situation was worsening, and questioned whether action would only be taken after another flood.
“It was with great pleasure that I noticed JRA went out and cleared the Platina Bridge of debris after weeks of escalating the situation. We will continue to monitor the situation so it does not recur.”
Platina Bridge has a history of flooding and storm damage. The bridge was severely affected during heavy rains in March 2023, when rising water levels and debris caused significant damage to the structure.
More recently, on March 5, 2025, another flood event again compromised the bridge, washing logs and debris into the crossing and highlighting its vulnerability during periods of intense rainfall.
According to Van der Merwe, debris build-up remains one of the major risks to the bridge, as blockages can prevent water from flowing freely and increase the likelihood of flooding during storms.
Also read: Lonehill closes 2025 with community strength amid infrastructure strain
Last year, Van der Merwe also confirmed that the bridge has reached the design stage of its repairs.
“They’re going to tear down that bridge and replace it with a wider one. Now, those channels are only 3m wide for the water to flow through. The new one will be two 13m-wide channels. That’s planned for this year, and it’s going to take nine months to a year to accomplish.”
He updated the Review that, as far as repairs to the entire bridge, he will also focus on getting updates from JRA development as to what the plans are for the bridge going forward, and what the outcomes were from the environmental study that was conducted late in 2025. This was after being asked if he knows when the repairs might begin.
Khayalethu Gqibitole, head of the Johannesburg Roads Agency’s regional operations department, promised that the project is progressing through the planning phase.
“The Platina Bridge is in the detailed design phase, with implementation planned for the 2026 financial year, pending budget, at an estimated R25m.”
Follow us on our WhatsApp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
