R21 road to take up to 9 months to rehabilitate
“The process of attending to the sinkhole has taken some time due to procurement and site investigation processes that had to be followed.”
Procurement and site investigation processes were among the reasons for the delay in the repair of the sinkhole on the R21 in Centurion.
National road infrastructure operator, Sanral this week told Rekord that despite these delays, the project was being treated as an emergency.
The sinkhole appeared in February last year forcing the operator to close some lanes which resulted in heavy traffic congestion on the road during peak hours.
“The process of attending to the sinkhole has taken some time due to procurement and site investigation processes that had to be followed,” said Sanral northern manager Progress Hlahla.
“Firstly, specialist geotechnical engineers had to be appointed to investigate the sinkhole.”
Hlahla said the appointment would be followed by geophysical testing of the area to determine the cause and quantum of the sinkhole as well as determine the remedy.
“We are currently in the tendering process of a contractor that will repair the sinkhole.
“Tenders [window] will most probably close within the next 30 days, thereafter the contractor will be appointed.”
TIME TO THE R21 COMPLETION WILL BE 9 MONTHS
In addition, Hlahla said the anticipated time to repair the sinkhole would be approximately nine months.
“The Sanral maintenance teams have safeguarded and cordoned-off the area with concrete barriers, and also inspect the sinkhole on a daily basis.”
But the delay has frustrated motorists.
Tau Lestoenyo, a taxi driver on the Marabastad to Ivory Park route said he now spent more time per trip during peak hours.
“We are expected to pay tax yet we don’t see value for our money. During peak hours it’s a nightmare to drive on that route and there’s no alternative,” Lestoenyo said.
He added that he could not understand why the road would be closed for that long especially a busy road like the R21.
Sifiso Mngomezulu was equally concerned about the amount of time he spent on the road during peak hours, calling it ridiculous.
“Our bosses are expecting us to reach our daily target, and how are we going to do that if we have to spend hours on that route. On the other hand these traffic officers are on our case, asking us ridiculous things.”
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