Work starts on Pretoria North stormwater system repair project
Ward councillor and local residents react as work begins to fix a hazardous intersection at Burger and Gerrit Maritz streets.
Construction of a new stormwater catchpit at the corner of Burger and Gerrit Maritz streets in Pretoria North is progressing after weeks of complaints from residents about the hazardous condition of the busy intersection.
Ward 2 councillor Quentin Meyer said the project was an important step towards improving infrastructure and safety in the area.
“Stormwater infrastructure plays an important role in preventing water from accumulating on roads and around intersections, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall,” said Meyer.
He explained that poor drainage could affect motorists and pedestrians, while prolonged standing water could contribute to the deterioration of road surfaces.
Resident Paulina Masehe welcomed the work, saying improved drainage would make the intersection safer during rainy weather.
“During heavy rain, you want to know that the water has somewhere to go. Improvements like this can make a big difference to people using the road every day,” said Masehe.
Community welcomes progress
Another resident, Refilwe Molefe, said the progress was encouraging for the community.
“It is encouraging to see work being done in the area. These may seem like small projects, but they have an impact on residents and can improve the way the community functions,” said Molefe.
The reconstruction follows concerns about public safety after excavation work left the intersection in a hazardous condition.
Tshwane Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo previously told Rekord that the problem was initially reported as a suspected water leak before a second complaint was logged regarding stormwater drainage.
“Following several jetting attempts, it became evident that the infrastructure was structurally damaged and would require reconstruction rather than routine maintenance.”
He added that delays were linked to the fault-finding process, specialised equipment and the extent of the damage discovered during investigations.
The completed catchpit is expected to improve the collection and flow of stormwater away from the intersection.
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