Four months after the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) said repairs to De Vries Street had been prioritised, the damaged roadway remains untouched, with residents warning that the deteriorating road surface poses an ongoing safety risk.

The stormwater infrastructure beneath and alongside De Vries Street collapsed around 2023 after misaligned stormwater pipes at the road’s lowest point failed, causing part of the pavement to collapse and the road surface to begin subsiding.

• Also read: De Vries Street repairs prioritised

The Roodepoort Record previously reported that JRA officials visited the site to assess the damage. During the inspection, two holes were excavated in the road surface and have since remained open.

In 2023, JRA confirmed that a service provider had been appointed to carry out the repairs, but said the contract was later cancelled due to poor performance.

In March this year, the entity told the Record that the project had been prioritised for design and implementation during the current financial year.

However, despite repeated requests for an update, the JRA has yet to provide any further information. The agency’s communications team said on July 8 that they would escalate the matter to their regional team; however, no answers have been forthcoming since.

 While barriers remain in place around the collapsed section of pavement, the two holes in the road surface are still uncovered. Residents say they pose a hazard to motorists, particularly after dark when visibility is reduced.

According to Roodekrans Neighbourhood Watch chairperson Andreas Öberlechner, efforts to have the matter resolved have also proved unsuccessful.

“I’ve not heard anything from JRA regarding this matter. I’ve even taken DA mayoral candidate Helen Zille on a site visit there,” he said.

As of July 27 at 10:00, the JRA had not responded to the Record’s latest request for an update.