Multimillion rand spruit upgrade underway
BRAAMFONTEIN - A R4 million upgrade of the Braamfontein Spruit near Parkhurst and Craigpark by Johannesburg Roads Agency is expected to be completed in September.
According to agency spokesperson Mosa Makhalima, the upgrade was part of a river bank protection project to be completed in phases over several years.
She said four critical sites on the spruit required attention. Gabion works, wire cages filled with rocks, would be rehabilitated at three of those sites.
“The main aspect is the construction of solid foundations to provide a base for the gabion baskets, and prevent the gabions from collapse,” said Makhalima.
All three sites were in Parkhurst, near 2nd Street, 8th Street, and within the grounds of Pirates Sports Club on Braeside Road.
Makhalima said work being done at the fourth site, behind Craigpark’s Craigtowne complex near the corner of Marlborough and Richmond avenues, would protect electricity pylons.
“The river banks are severely eroded, which could lead to the collapse of the pylons,” she said.
Makhalima added that environmental impact assessment approval would need to be obtained before the agency could continue with the river bank protection project.
