Fontainebleau residents dread the worst as contractor abandons Gertrude Bridge project again
The Johannesburg Road Agency contractor has left the erosion project on Gertrude Bridge again, leaving behind a temporary bridge that residents fear will create more problems with the rain.
Residents along Gertrude Bridge in Fontainebleau are living in fear as the Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) contractor has once again abandoned the erosion project due to cashflow challenges from the entity.
JRA implemented the erosion protection project to prevent erosion damage on properties that are located in the riverbank. Earlier in the year residents were heavily hit by floods, with noticeably higher water levels and more extensive damages than previous years.
Read more:Â Work continues on Gertrude Bridge despite payment issues
The project started before the flooding happened, with many believing that the high-water levels were caused by the project material, which was placed inside the river, blocking the water flow.
The contractors continued with the project after the floods, and a temporary bridge was built inside the river, for people to be able to cross and reach the other side. However, with the recent heavy rains, residents are fearing for their lives, as the temporary bridge has not yet been removed, and it is disrupting water flow inside the river.
Residents are also frustrated as they are not receiving answers from the entity.
Also read:Â Greymont bridge stuck in limbo
One of the residents, Priscilla Cillie, confirmed that the work has stopped at the bridge, due to non-payment, and JRA has given nothing to anyone. “The residents fear we will be flooded once again, especially since the contractors left a stupid bridge in the river, which is blocking the flow of water. We are hoping that JRA will employ a proper contractor who can do the job they set off to do in the first place, before we all suffer from the floods again.”
In August, the contractor attempted to suspend construction work until they were paid. However, they remained on-site due to the project’s urgency.
At that time, JRA’s head of department for infrastructure development Kwazelela Mcetywa stated that they anticipated completing the project in October 2025, before the rainy season commenced.
Randburg Sun sent questions to JRA, and their response will be published once made available.
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