Flood damaged bridges still closed

In February 2009, Ekurhuleni’s inferior stormwater drainage system resulted in widespread floods across Edenvale and Bedfordview.

Hundreds of residents and businesses were affected.

At the time many blamed inadequate planning of the Tunney and Meadowdale industrial areas.

In an attempt to curb future floods, the municipality implemented its multi-billion Rand stormwater management plan.

While the implementation of the plan has made headway, the process has been slow and council has yet to address several areas which were damaged by the 2009 floods.

In March 2010, after more heavy summer rainfall and floods, the municipality closed two bridges in Edenvale, in Cecil Awret Road and Fourth Avenue, when they were deemed not safe for use.

A large section of side walling of the Fourth Avenue bridge had washed away.

At the time council also raised safety concerns of the Sixth Avenue bridge but it remained open.

The then spokesperson for the municipality, Mr Zweli Dlamini, said both bridges did not have the capacity to handle large amounts of stormwater.

In the NEWS’ March 17 edition of 2010, Mr Dlamini said that the condition of the bridges was being assessed.

Last week it was found that more damage had been done to safety railings on both bridges and a larger part of the Fourth Avenue bridge had been washed away by summer rainfall over the last three years.

Now three years since its closure, the Fourth Avenue bridge remains untouched while the state of the Sixth Avenue bridge continues to worsen.

In addition to both bridges falling apart, the area between them has become a haven for illegal dumping.

There is also evidence of vagrants living between the bridges.

Spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM), Mr Samuel Modiba, said last week a detailed investigation of the bridges is underway.

“Ndodana Consulting Engineers have been appointed to conduct the investigation on the bridges. Preliminary design reports are almost completed,” Mr Modiba said.

He added that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process will be underway shortly.

“As soon as necessary authorisation is issued from Gauteng Department of Agriculture Conservation and Environment (GDACE) and Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF), the repair work will be implemented,” Mr Modiba said.