Road improvements underway – Guerreiro
“There has been some improvement, not enough that I can say that I am satisfied but we are getting there."
Ongoing work on Herman Road has seen improvements made on this industrial thoroughfare.
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For several years, the intersection of Herman and Brickfield roads has been a concern.
Ward 92 Clr Kade Guerreiro said at the intersection, a large pothole was located across Herman Road that created a ditch.
“There has been some improvement, not enough that I can say that I am satisfied but we are getting there,” said Guerreiro.
He said a section of Herman Road, near the intersection, was levelled and repainted.
Guerreiro said there are still plans to relocate stormwater pipes near the intersection.
“When large trucks turn from Brickfield into Herman road, they damage the corner pipe. Reinforcement will be installed; the municipality has budgeted to put new piping in.”
According to Guerreiro, the pipe runs down Brickfield Road, curves and goes under Herman Road before running under the R24 and Buurendal.
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“It’s a bit of a challenge, but I am happy that some of the roads at least got some attention.”
He said previous attempts to reinforce the stormwater pipes with mesh and reinforcing bars, which could be seen on-site, did not work.
Guerreiro believes the age of the infrastructure contributed to its deterioration.
“It is old infrastructure, like at Buurendal and Highway Gardens. Years ago, when these systems were installed, they were not catering for vehicles of this size or this weight.”
Guerreiro said because of limited space at and around the intersection, the municipality needs to fix what is available for it to work.
He said water pipes and other municipal infrastructure prevent the expansion of the intersection.
Although there was a large pothole in the left lane on Herman Road westbound, Guerreiro said the road was safer to use than before.
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He said they would repair the remaining section of the damaged road as soon as the budget is available.
“Overall, Herman Road enjoyed a bit of an upgrade. Potholes were filled, road markings painted and the city is making sure traffic lights are working.
“I am trying to get the province to assist with fencing to prevent pedestrians from accessing the highway, but overall, the road has improved over the past year.”
CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said upgrades to the stormwater system started in the 2017/2018 financial year.
“The maintenance division has since conducted repairs, unblocked the stormwater drainage and patched potholes at the intersection. Currently, there are no ongoing activities at the intersection,” said Dlamini.
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Responding to questions related to the allocation of budget and improvements planned for the intersection, Dlamini said no improvements are planned for the intersection.
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