No end in sight for excavation on Peter Place

The excavation work on the corner of Peter Place and Old Kilcullen Road in Bryanston continues with no completion in sight.

The major repair job currently being carried out by Eskom has left the intersection fairly vulnerable for just over 10 months.

Previously reported by the Chronicle in Excavation continues, [Week ending February 4,] Eskom confirmed that it was forced to switch off a high voltage cable feeding between the Craighall and Bryanston substations in August last year due to an oil leak.

While the repair work commenced in September last year, the public utility says that while it aims to complete the repairs by the end of May, a final completion date cannot yet be determine due to the ever-changing nature of the job and the weather.

Teams encountered a number of challenges thus far; these included the draining of excess water and a second leak on a second cable which runs underneath a boundary wall of a private property on Old Kilcullen Road.

Eskom noted that upon further inspection of the second leak, two additional water pipe leaks were found along the boundary wall.

In a written response on May 12, the Eskom Media Desk said that while the water leaks were immediately reported to Johannesburg Water, they were only repaired a month later.

“Eskom had to wait for this process to be completed before resuming its own repair work and thus impacting the set project completion timelines.”

Further delays occurred when the boundary wall on the private property collapsed due to the wetness of the ground, despite teams working in small portions to keep the integrity of the wall intact.

“The work is quite a challenge as the ground is muddy which will require the Eskom team to transport soil from another area to enable the team to close and compact the portion they are working on after the cable repair work is complete,” added the media desk.

In the meantime a temporary fence has been erected to ensure the safety of those living on the property.

Ward 102 councillor David Potter urges resident to remain patient for a little while longer as repairs near the completion stages.

“Trust the repairs be completed soon, and the cables made live to secure the power network ahead of winter demand.”

Related articles:

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/308561/excavation-continues-on-peter-place/

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/312964/eskom-urges-customers-to-save-electricity-this-winter-season/