Dept says Wierda Road sinkhole is receiving much-needed attention
“Engineers are currently busy with geotechnical investigations and surveys whereby the outcome will determine the duration of the remedial work.”
Wierda Road is receiving much-needed attention, the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has reassured Centurion residents.
This is after the road was closed off last year in November due to the sinkhole extending over the road, which resulted in the closure of the on- and off-ramps. The sinkhole has since grown due to the rainy season.
Departmental spokesperson Melittah Madiba told Rekord that the province was repairing the sinkhole.
“The provincial department will do the repairs. The engineers are currently busy with geotechnical investigations and surveys whereby the outcome will determine the duration of the remedial work,” Madiba said.
The assurance comes after residents complained about how long it was taking the department to fix the sinkhole.
Resident Kire Vellies took to Facebook and asked when the road was being opened as it had caused great inconvenience for the majority of residents.
“I believe the road is hindering many people’s daily routine and [we are] looking for answers,” Vellies said.
Meanwhile, Tshwane metro spokesperson Selby Bokaba confirmed that the road fell under the province’s ambit, adding that the metro could not provide any updates to the community at the moment.
“It falls under the jurisdiction of Gauteng province’s roads and transport department. Thus far, the province has not provided any updates on the repairs. The metro is only a participant in the stakeholder engagement forum where preparations for the road’s rehabilitation are discussed,” Bokaba said.
Bokaba, however, said all the prioritised sinkholes will be fixed on time in the next financial year, adding it was difficult to place a time frame of when most of the sinkholes will be fixed.
“It is difficult for the metro to say it will start with a certain sinkhole because there’s a sinkhole in Wierda Road now that needs to be fixed and tomorrow another sinkhole develops in another street. This street may be a busier one and will be prioritised to be fixed as it is used more. That’s how we determine the urgency of repairing sinkholes.”
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