Plans to officially reopen Pretoria Avenue, between Rivonia Road and Katherine Street in Sandown, were put on hold after a pipe burst caused a sinkhole in the area.
A ribbon-cutting event, scheduled for 10:00 on March 6, was meant to celebrate the completion of long-awaited road reinstatement works, following years of infrastructure challenges. Instead, the early-morning pipe failure brought renewed frustration for residents and businesses in the area.
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Ward 103 councillor Lynda Shackelford said the latest pipe burst is unrelated to the road rehabilitation project recently completed by Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA). “Today was supposed to be an incredible day. After almost two years, this road was finally going to open again, but early this morning another burst pipe occurred and, as you can see behind me, we now have a sinkhole.”
Teams from Johannesburg Water and the roads agency are currently on site assessing the damage and determining the next steps to repair the infrastructure.
According to Shackelford, the repeated pipe failures highlight a broader challenge facing the city’s ageing water infrastructure. “We need more pipe replacements, more funding, and more resources, so that we don’t keep facing these types of failures.”
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The situation has also placed economic pressure on nearby businesses that have struggled with limited access during the prolonged road closure. “A small burst pipe can create enormous economic stress for surrounding businesses, particularly the Shell garage that has had restricted access to this road for more than two years.”
Ward 91 councillor Andrew Stewart has been on the ground assisting with efforts to resolve the issue.
City officials are currently engaging to assess the damage and determine the necessary repairs before a new reopening date for Pretoria Avenue can be announced.
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