Welties residents concerned about Spring Road bridge
Residents of Welties share their concerns about Spring Road bridge and the use of emergency relief valves.
Residents living nearby the Spring Road bridge are weary as recent rains, and alleged emergency relief works by Rand Water, have caused the soil underneath and alongside the bridge to wash away, leaving possible structural instability in its wake.
According to Esther Greenwood, who owns a property near the bridge, ‘The damage caused by Rand Water during the construction of the new bridge over the Klein Juksei River in Weltevrden Park, connecting Spring and Muurbal Road’, is a source of concern for Welties residents.
Greenwood went on to say that, to the best of her knowledge, Rand Water has a relief valve system that they use to reduce the water pressure of their freshwater piping system when repairs or maintenance are required downstream of this location.
“Rand Water appears to have been unaware that they should have held discussions about the potential consequences that could occur during and/ or after the completion of the new bridge. This would include the positioning and design of the bridge installation as well as the freshwater installation,” Greenwood explained in a report submitted to Rand Water on December 14, 2022.
Greenwood followed up with, “Things went wrong when Rand Water had an emergency release of pressure in the system to allow their workers downstream to make repairs. The damage was caused by the valve opening which blasted water that went upstream and re-entered the river flow above the gabions. The gabions were positioned to redirect the river flow to the new bridge’s entrance.”
Greenwood has asked the Northsider to appeal to the community in reporting the dire state of the ground below Spring Road bridge in an attempt to get the municipality and Rand Water’s attention.
“Hopefully, something can be done to correct this before it becomes a hazard to our residents,” Greenwood concluded.
Bertha Peters-Scheepers informed the Northsider that the Johannesburg Roads Agency’s (JRA) Inspector went out to Spring Road Bridge today, February 16, and will inform the Northsider of their findings.
READ MORE: Spring Road bridge opened finally, but not ceremoniously
The Northsider reached out to Rand Water Spokesperson Justice Mohale for comment, but no response was received at the time of publication. As soon as feedback is received, the Northsider will publish Rand Water’s response.
