The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has reopened Drysdale Road in Sundowner, Randburg after a month-long closure.

JRA spokesperson Bertha Peters-Scheepers said that the road was now fully operational between Brushwood Estate in the north and Gayle Road in the south, following extensive rehabilitation.

A full road closure was implemented on September 4 as a necessary safety precaution while the JRA undertook urgent repair work on a section of the road that had collapsed due to severe flooding.

The road was on the verge of collapse after it was hit by severe floods that affected some suburbs in Johannesburg North earlier in the year. The floods pushed over a fence on the side of the road, as well as opening a gaping hole, which was a danger to road users.

The scope of work completed by JRA included:

• Restoring the collapsed embankment.
• Reconstructing the damaged roadway.
• Constructing gabion structures to reinforce the support system.
• Installing guardrails to enhance roadside safety.
• Conducting surface patching to restore the riding surface and seamlessly blend with the existing road pavement.

“These repairs and upgrades have significantly improved drainage and water flow management, which will mitigate the risk of future erosion. The JRA extends its sincere appreciation to all residents and road users for their patience and cooperation throughout the duration of the roadworks,” said Peters-Scheepers.

Ward 134 councillor Devon Steenkamp said there was overgrown vegetation on the riverbank of the site, and he would involve City Parks department for a clean-up.

“It’s great that they have reinforced Drysdale Road, but if we’re not going to clean up the riverbank, water will still find the weakest spot and cause damage,” he said.

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