Months after residents raised the alarm over dangerous conditions at one of Pretoria North’s busiest intersections, the area is finally facing a visible transformation with the repair of the sidewalk and paving at the corner of Burger and Gerrit Maritz streets.

The completed sidewalk upgrade marks the latest milestone in addressing long-standing infrastructure concerns that sparked widespread frustration among residents, motorists and pedestrians earlier this year.

Ward 2 Councillor Quentin Meyer said the repairs are the result of persistent pressure from the community, whose repeated reports helped ensure that the matter remained a priority.

“This comes from severe pressure. Constant reports, calls and persistence made this possible. Together, we get things done,” said Meyer.

The upgraded paving now provides a safer, more accessible walkway for the many pedestrians who use the intersection daily, including schoolchildren, shoppers, and elderly residents.

The work follows months of uncertainty after stormwater infrastructure beneath the intersection was damaged, leaving the area excavated and hazardous.

At that time, residents expressed growing concern about the unfinished repair work, saying the exposed excavation, loose gravel, and uneven surfaces posed a serious risk to both motorists and pedestrians.

Meyer was among the strongest critics of the delays, saying the repair team had begun work but left the site in unacceptable conditions.

“The team came out, started repairs and then simply left the road in that state without returning. This was not acceptable service delivery, and residents deserved better,” said Meyer.

He also warned that the busy intersection had become particularly dangerous after dark.

“I said the area needed to be cleared and secured because cars could not safely travel through the intersection, and pedestrians were at risk. There were no proper safety barriers, and somebody could easily get hurt,” he said.

Residents resonated with the councillor’s concerns, warning that it was only a matter of time before someone was seriously injured.

Karen Botha said the condition of the intersection had left many residents worried.

“It was extremely unsafe, especially at night when visibility was poor. We were concerned because Pretoria North has ageing infrastructure and the situation just kept getting worse,” she said.

Another resident, Ilse Siebert, who lives on Burger Street, said the area had become a daily hazard.

“It was winter, and people used this route early in the morning while it was still dark. We felt it was only a matter of time before somebody got hurt,” she said.

Following investigations, the Tshwane Metro confirmed that the problem was more complex than initially believed.

The metro explained that what was first reported as a suspected water leak was eventually traced to structurally damaged stormwater infrastructure beneath the intersection.

After several inspections, excavation work and attempts to clear the drainage system using specialised equipment, officials concluded that the damaged catchpit required full reconstruction rather than routine maintenance.

Construction teams later returned to the site to rebuild the damaged catchpit, signalling the start of a permanent solution.

Botha said seeing construction teams back on site gave the community renewed confidence.

“For months, we were worried that nothing was happening. It was good to see reconstruction finally underway, and we hoped the work would be completed properly and that the area would be made safe again for everyone,” she said.

With the reconstruction of the underground infrastructure now complete, the final phase has seen the restoration of the sidewalk and paving around the intersection.

Meyer thanked residents for refusing to let the issue be forgotten, saying community involvement had played a crucial role in securing the repairs.

“The repaired sidewalk not only restores the appearance of one of Pretoria North’s busiest intersections but also improves pedestrian safety and accessibility, bringing to a close a months-long infrastructure challenge that began with community complaints and ended with visible service delivery,” he said.

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