VEREENIGING. –  A motorist lost his life early on Saturday morning (21 October) on Boy Louw Road after crashing into a cement block that the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) used to block off the road.

It has been over a month since the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) issued a notice regarding the closure of a section of Boy Low Street between Vereeniging and Steel Park for the maintenance and construction of the Boy Louw undercarriage.

Additionally, the residents of Sharpeville have raised concerns about the increased traffic passing through their residential area due to the road closure, which poses a significant danger to children. The management of Pula Garage, located near the closed road, has also expressed their concern about the negative impact on their business. They noted a significant decrease in traffic, as many motorists now opt to use the highway to reach their destinations.

ELM’s Media Liaison Officer, Chuchi Radebe, explained in an interview with Ster North that the municipality is currently engaged in procurement processes. The tender for emergency repairs of the Boy Louw undercarriage has been advertised and is set to close on October 12. If everything goes according to plan, work on the site will commence later in the month. Radebe acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the road closure but stressed that these repairs are necessary to ensure the road’s future reliability. The municipality is requesting patience from road users while they work to address the situation.