What began as a minor drainage blockage beneath the 6th Street Bridge linking Greymont and Alberts Farm, has evolved into a growing concern among residents.

They say years of water damage and delayed maintenance have steadily weakened the structure, particularly the pedestrian walkway near a busy park entrance. According to Friends of Alberts Farm parkrunner Michael Hunt, first signs of damage were noticed in January 2025, when storm water began overflowing across the bridge during heavy rainfall. Residents believe a culvert pipe beneath the road has been blocked for an extended period, preventing proper drainage flow.

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That overflow, he said has created persistent erosion on the downstream side of the bridge, gradually eating away at concrete supports and surrounding soil. “Over time, the pedestrian walkway has become partially unusable, with pedestrians forced onto the roadway to cross the stream, raising safety concerns due to passing traffic.”

He says the situation reflects a failure of routine maintenance to address what was initially a manageable issue. He argues that repeated overflow events have steadily escalated damage that could have been prevented with early intervention.

Hunt along with other parkrunners warned that continued erosion could eventually undermine the road itself, particularly during seasonal high-flow periods. Concerns have also been raised about a widening erosion pocket forming downstream of the bridge, which they say grows with each overflow event.

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Frustration has also mounted over municipal response. Multiple complaints have reportedly been submitted to Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), though residents say follow-up has been inconsistent, with some reporting missing reference numbers and limited feedback. While officials from Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo have visited the site, residents say no lasting repair work has followed.

The issue has also highlighted a structural divide in municipal response systems between routine operational maintenance, such as clearing blocked drainage, and capital-funded infrastructure repairs, requiring formal approval.

A consultation meeting, scheduled for April 2026 under the City of Johannesburg’s integrated development plan process, is expected to address the matter, alongside broader infrastructure planning discussions across the region.

The publication followed up with JRA on April 7–15, to which they stated that they are still awaiting feedback from the depot. The publication will continue to follow up with the entity on repair works.

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