Damaged intersection now a sinkhole
A sinkhole has formed on the corner of Von Willich Avenue and Gerhard Street.
The water-damaged intersection of Gerhard Street and Von Willich Avenue in Lyttelton Manor, after massive amounts of water spilled onto the road, has now formed a sinkhole. This comes after another night of rain in Centurion.
The hole, which is more than a metre deep and a metre in width, formed between the far left lane and the lane to its right.
Craig Bennett of WBHO, one of the contractors hired to repair the road, said the damage was caused by the storm water system not being able to handle the large influx of water during heavy rains.
“The storm water pipe runs directly into the Hennops River. The problem is that where the pipe meets the river it is lower than the water level. This causes all the water to push back up the pipes and spill out of manholes.”
The team from WBHO was currently upgrading the storm water drain using cutting-edge ‘trenchless’ installation systems previously used in Europe. “It is taking time, but the work is underway,” said Bennett.
He said the team was also scheduled to drill into the road and assess the damage.
“When we have finally drilled and determined that it is safe, the tar will be repaired. When this is done, the two lanes on the far right of Gerhard Street South will be opened for traffic while the sinkhole is repaired, if it is safe.”
This is not the first time leaking water pipes have caused sinkholes to form in Centurion. A mere 1.7km further, a large sinkhole has appeared in Clifton Avenue, also because of leaking water pipes. This has caused the road to be closed for more than a year, leaving residents struggling to get in and out of their homes.
DA Ward Councillor Clive Napier weighed in on the matter, saying: “I am very disturbed by the lifting of parts of the tarmac in Gerhard Street following a heavy rain storm. I trust that the parties concerned will attend to the source of the problem as a matter of urgency. The closure of the road has resulted in a massive dislocation of traffic flow which inconveniences many residents and businesses. An indication must be given to the public as soon as possible as to how long the repair process will take and when the road will be re-opened.”
The intersection at Gerhard Street and Von Willich Avenue will remain closed indefinitely. The Lyttelton Sector 7 Community Policing Forum has urged motorists to find alternate routes during peak traffic times.
Read: Motorists warned as intersection washes away
No relief from sinkholes for residents
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