Hendrik Potgieter Road closure testing the limitations of infrastructure and the community it serves

Strangled access reveals roads as the route of freedom and opportunities.

Lengthy delays, tedious detours or total avoidance has been the theme of the start of 2023. Not only a link between Krugersdorp and the N1 highway, Hendrik Potgieter Road is a social and economic artery that keeps the community’s blood pumping between the two halves of northern Roodepoort. Severing that connection brings a quiet to what was once bustling and a stagnation to where activity is a sustaining life force. This destructive disruption of the equilibrium is a weight sinking already drowning desires.

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Nearby businesses reporting a quieter December than expected
The heavy rains and subsequent collapse forced the road closure in mid-December. Situated in close proximity of the massive hole, Raceworx KTM and companies that share their premises, Signature Cars and social hangout Ridgeway Rooftop Bar have been counting the cost of being exiled. Directly across the other side of the hole, Turn n Tender Steakhouse inside The Falls Shopping Centre have lost both time and money.

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The motorcycle shop still has a steady flow of existing customers but the sale of gear and accessories to casual walk-ins is down dramatically. Raceworx KTM Operations Manager, Ockie Fourie, estimates merchandise sales are down 40% based solely on the lack of foot traffic. He and Signature Cars’ Glen Greyvensten note how since opening nine months ago, the parking has never been emptier as few come to enjoy the bar’s view or come to admire the luxury vehicles on Glen’s showroom floor.

As with the businesses on Zandvliet Road, staff are affected as public transport is less accessible. “The longer it stays closed the worse the implications have become. Staff is having difficulty getting to work in the morning, not only because of traffic, but there are fewer taxis passing on this route,” stated Turn ‘n Tender Ruimsig Manager, John Lister. Sighting the same lack of movement, John added, “The restaurant was down approximately 25% on the volumes of last year during the same period. The road closure has been a disaster for us”.

Residents unable to move freely from their homes
The holiday season softened the initial shock of the road closure but as residents began their January routines, the full impact was felt. On the first day of school, January 11, traffic was at a standstill in both lanes along Van Dalen Road South, Sterretjie Street and Shearwater Road extending from the traffic circle that now marks the centre of the detour. The bottleneck extended all the way to Van der Kloof Street, Sjampanje Street and Johan Road in all directions.

Between the roads being used as the detour, the entrances of just over 25 sectional title complexes dot the narrow back roads. The residents feeling the brunt of the chaos have their entrance within the dreaded traffic circle. Residents have complained of an over 40 minute trip to nearby shops and long waits to get in and out of their homes. In addition, the large trucks have damaged verges all along their boundary and broken municipal infrastructure.

“We have received numerous complaints, especially about the trucks creating noise. The main water meter has been damaged by a truck driving over it but City of Johannesburg did however attend to it immediately,” said Derrick Joubert, Operations Manager of Inspired Management, who manage the development.

“The pavements around The Falls have all but been destroyed by the heavy vehicles using the road and the damages will have to be rectified by The Falls’ body corporate,” concluded Derrick.

Some have attempted to use the traffic congestion to their advantage but they too believe the current situation is a disaster. Phillip Mothibi, owner of PL Roofing, lives in Amarosa and takes his children to school in Weltevreden Park, a return trip taking him an hour and a half. Phillip parked his roof truss display in the traffic circle hoping to catch the attention of passers-by, but motorists priority may have been to get as far from that area as possible.

Daily education bookended by frustrating beginning and end
Clearview Academy is located on Van Staden Road a few hundred metres from the most congested section of the detour. This has forced the school to explore all options available as staff and parents are spending up to 50 minutes extra in traffic daily. “We are opening up a gate at the bottom of the school property adjoining Van Dalen Road which will obviously incur costs,” stated Clearview Academy Principal, Monique Anastasiou.

“We sometimes have learners who arrive at school late and have tried to curb this. With the extra time spent in traffic now due to the hole on Hendrik Potgieter, we are going to have many more learners arriving late which is a disruption to classes and teaching time. Our aftercare will most probably experience parents arriving later than the closing time in the evening due to heavy traffic constraints. This means that our staff members are unable to leave the premises until all children have been collected,” elaborated Monique.

Financial losses are across the board, as the school would usually benefit from the back to school rush. “I believe it has. We usually have many more last minute walk-in enrolments before the start of the school year,” said Monique when asked if traffic was a factor. The financial and logistical challenges have mounted for all with the lost hours creating exhausted parents and learners.

All eyes on government for a solution
Officially, access to Van Staden Road from Hendrik Potgieter Road is restricted but only a small sign stands guard leaving motorists free to chose their own paths. “Currently Johnnesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) doesn’t have static deployment there, officers are just monitoring. Be aware that the road is a provincial road and not a municipal road. There is signage to show motorist that the road is closed,” said JMPD Spokesperson Xolani Fihla.

Provincial officials gave an early repair estimate of eight months and residents and motorists will pin their hopes to that timeline being stuck to or hopefully even shortened. Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport stated that the first phase of the repair project would be to repair the damaged storm water drain under the road. “The Department is already busy with the procurement of service providers, whereas the second phase will be to commence with the process of the rehabilitation of the road,” said GPDRT’s Victor Phala.

Community stakeholders hoping entities’ persistent pressure will lead to results
At a packed Honeydew CPF Sector 3 meeting on January 11, attendees came looking for answers to the congestion. Ward 97 Councillor Jacques Hoon stressed all stakeholders were working tirelessly to keep residents accurately informed but it was explained that the trucks were a necessity as they supply the retail stores that make up much of the suburb’s landscape.

Fihla elaborated on the trucks, stating, “It is true that the detour is small for the trucks and JMPD will engage with Johannesburg Roads Agency to put signs that prohibit trucks from using that detour. The hope is that a flood of complaints and increased pressure from the corporate entities will help the provincial department expedite the process.

“Although community and local residents are upset, there is a much bigger picture that is causing a bigger problem. Eight to nine months is the key takeaway. All stakeholders are completely aware of the severity and we are getting complaints on a daily basis from struggling residents. We ask residents to please be patient during this difficult time as we repair and rebuild the infrastructure,” reassured CPF Sector 3 Chairperson, Anthony Beer.

From a security aspect, the CPF will be providing boots on the ground to keep residents safe. “There is a risk of snatch-and-grab happening to vehicles sitting in traffic trying to manoeuvre through the back roads. Local security and CPF will be patrolling to try prevent this,” continued Anthony.

As the days go by, the extra hours, creeping frustration and wasted fuel mount but the cries for a speedy resolution must not cease.