Melrose North’s sunken road reinstatement to take 3 weeks
Ageing infrastructure and failing underground services near or under the road infrastructure are factors that cause sinkholes.
Repairs to Melrose North’s sunken road are finally set to begin, after Johannesburg Water confirmed that backfilling and pipe repairs have been completed following two burst pipes on North Street.
A reporter visited the site with Ward 74 councillor, Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, on January 27. The councillor said she was pleased to see progress on the busy road.
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“Johannesburg Roads Agency said they cannot fix the road until the leak is fixed, so now, we will wait for communication from them as to when they will start. There are other pressing issues JRA must attend to, such as the sinking road, which has to be made level and usable for the cars,” she said.
Johannesburg Water spokesperson, Nombuso Shabalala, confirmed on January 27 that the matter had been referred to JRA, requesting tar reinstatement to be completed.
JRA’s head of operations, Khaya Gqibitole, explained that while the sunken road was caused by a dislodged pipe, other factors also contributed to road subsidence.
“There are multiple factors that can cause sinkholes on roads, including broken pipes, pipe bursts, road pavement failures and failing underground services which traverse the road network. These are mainly attributed to ageing infrastructure.
In the case at Melrose North, Joburg Water had a leaking pipe and excavated the affected area to complete the necessary repairs. The road subsidence may have been caused by the water leakage.”
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Gqibitole added that each sinkhole case was unique, with turnaround times depending on severity.
He noted that Johannesburg Water would issue an order number authorising JRA to commence work.
“The reinstatement process is expected to take approximately three weeks. This timeframe includes the excavation and repair of the settled section.”
The head of regional operations concluded that measures would be taken to ensure the repaired road did not sink again.
“Physical inspections are conducted first to investigate the root cause. Once identified, repair work is completed in line with applicable standards to ensure quality workmanship. Extensive engineering studies are conducted in more severe cases.”
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