N11 Blinkpan – school route sparks safety fears
The N11 Blinkpan road is a danger to motorists driving in fear, as potholes and trucks worsen conditions.
Deep potholes and constant heavy truck traffic are worsening road conditions on the N11, near Blinkpan, with residents warning that the damaged route poses a serious safety risk to motorists and school buses.
Residents are raising urgent safety concerns over the deteriorating condition of the N11 main road near the Komati Power Station in the Blinkpan area. The deep potholes and truck traffic have turned the route into a potential death-trap for schoolkids and motorists.
Large sections of tar have broken away along the road, forcing drivers to navigate narrow strips of remaining asphalt while attempting to avoid the enormous potholes.
Multiple complaints from concerned commuters state that the ‘bottomless pit’ of potholes fills up with water in rainy weather, making them almost invisible to the naked eye.
According to residents, the road is heavily used by trucks servicing nearby mining and industrial operations, placing further strain on the already damaged surface.
“It’s trucks, on trucks, on trucks!” a resident said.
Community members claim many trucks refuse to slow down when approaching damaged sections, causing the remaining tar to break apart even further and allowing potholes to grow larger. These unconcerned truckers have left the rest of the road users feeling disregarded.
Motorists say they are often forced to swerve around potholes or drive along the small strips of tar still intact, creating dangerous conditions for oncoming traffic.
The situation is particularly concerning for parents, as young children and school transportation rely on the deadly road daily to reach nearby schools. There are no alternative routes available, forcing learners, buses, and motorists to travel the damaged road every day.
Residents warn that the condition of the N11 continues to worsen and fear that a serious accident is bound to occur if urgent repairs and action aren’t taken to fix the failing national road.
Community members are now calling on the relevant authorities to urgently intervene and repair the road before the situation leads to tragedy.
