The Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) says the Snowdon Street sinkhole repairs will be incorporated with the Etna Street project due to the connected stormwater system in the area.

The sinkhole currently blocking an entrance to Mount Morency Flats was caused by blocked stormwater pipes and has been worsened by heavy rainfalls in January, causing significant damage to residents’ properties.

On the other hand, Etna Street has been the white elephant of Florida Hills, with sinkholes dating back to 2022.

According to JRA’s head of department for Infrastructure Development, Kwazelela Mcetywa, there’s no estimated time of repairs for Snowden Street as investigations and planning are still underway.

However, for Etna Street, a service provider has been appointed to undertake further investigations, design work, and construction monitoring, and the project is currently at the planning stage.

“Timelines will be communicated once designs and funding have been finalised,” he said.

He added that the Snowdon Street collapse was reported in the first week of January. A site investigation was conducted on January 9, covering Snowdon Street, Etna Street, and the stormwater outlet on Kenya Road.

“Temporary measures have been recommended to prevent further erosion, along with a camera inspection of the stormwater system from Snowdon Street to Kenya Road to assess the extent of damage. However, these measures could not be implemented at the time of inspection and will be incorporated into the Etna Street Project scope of work,” said Mcetywa.