Sinkholes and flooding disrupt traffic on key Germiston roads

Motorists and residents are calling for urgent intervention as road closures, flooding, sinkholes and potholes continue to disrupt traffic across parts of Germiston, leaving commuters facing long delays, dangerous driving conditions and growing safety concerns.

Several key roads have been affected, forcing motorists to find alternative routes while existing traffic congestion worsens, particularly during peak hours.

Johan Rissik Road has been closed because of a sinkhole, adding pressure to surrounding roads as motorists attempt to navigate the affected areas.

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Main Reef Road, between Shamrock Road and Pretoria Road, has also become a major concern, as the road floods during rainy season, with a large sinkhole in the left-hand lane for motorists travelling towards Germiston.

According to concerns raised by motorists, the water completely covers the affected section, making it impossible for drivers to see the hole beneath the surface. This poses a serious risk to motorists who may unknowingly drive into the damaged section.

Multiple potholes in the middle lane further complicate the situation, forcing drivers to manoeuvre around damaged sections while sharing the road with other vehicles.

The flooding has also affected traffic approaching from Germiston, with water covering the roadway and motorists having to slow down considerably or come to a standstill to allow vehicles travelling in opposite directions to pass safely.

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The dangerous conditions have raised concerns beyond traffic congestion. A smash-and-grab incident was reported recently involving a vehicle in the queue of traffic waiting to pass through the affected area.

The incident has heightened fears among motorists who are forced to remain stationary in long queues, potentially leaving them vulnerable to crime.

While the resurfacing of Stanley Road has been welcomed as a positive intervention that has helped ease some traffic challenges, motorists say potholes remain a problem along the stretch from the Main Reef Road intersection towards Keswick Road.

Traffic also backs up along Keswick Road near the railway line, where vehicles are forced to stop to cross the tracks. The poor road conditions in the area further contribute to delays, particularly when traffic volumes increase during morning and afternoon peak periods.

“With several roads either closed, flooded or in a poor state of repair, commuters face mounting frustration as their daily journeys become increasingly unpredictable,” said ward councillor Wendy Morgan.

Residents and motorists are calling on the City of Ekurhuleni to urgently assess the affected roads, address the flooding and sinkhole hazards, repair potholes and provide clear communication about road closures and planned remedial work.

They warn that the combination of damaged infrastructure, poor visibility of road hazards and heavy traffic creates a dangerous situation that requires immediate attention.

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Motorists are appealing for a coordinated response to restore safe access, improve traffic flow and prevent further incidents while repairs are undertaken.

They said urgent intervention is needed to ensure that roads are safe and accessible, and that residents and commuters are not left to navigate hazardous conditions without clear information about when the affected routes will be restored.

GCN sent an enquiry to the city regarding when it would attend to the potholes, road closures and sinkholes in the area. No comment was received at the time of going to print.