Roads to be repaired, but remain a concern

After a much-anticipated wait community members and motorists can look forward to improved roads in Edenvale.

Ward 19 Clr Bill Rundle said work started at Columbus Avenue on August 5 after the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) implemented an initiative at the start of July to rehabilitate roads.

“Last year myself and Clr Heather Hart were asked to send a list of roads in our wards to the CoE which needed to be repaired,” said Rundle.

He said the lists were sent to consultants for assessment before rehabilitation was approved.

Besides Columbus Avenue, Rundle said Aitken between First and Van Riebeeck and then Aitken between Van Riebeeck and Palliser will be attended to.

He said the three roads are major network roads in the Eastleigh area and need attention.

“Once the three roads are repaired the contractors will move to Ward 18 to work on another three roads.”

“While working in Ward 18 the next three roads in need of repair in Ward 19 will be selected for rehabilitation.”

Rundle said the contractors will alternate between the two wards repairing three roads at a time until all or most of the identified roads are rehabilitated.

Although the rehabilitation project has started, Fourth Avenue resident Nick Degenaar raised concerns about the state of the road he lives on.

Degenaar and Edenvale resident of over 30 years said driving through Edenvale lately is a sad picture.

“There are huge potholes right in front of our driveway,” said Degenaar.

He highlighted that because Fourth Avenue is wider than other avenues some motorists speed up and down the road.

“There are a lot of loose stones around the potholes so when motorist travel at high speeds the stones are thrown up inside our property, some of which hit our vehicles.”

Degenaar said his wife reported the potholes at the roads department in Eastleigh after receiving no response from the CoE.

He said although Rundle assisted to escalate the matter very little was done to address the potholes.

Rundle said Fourth Avenue is an old road which was constructed with large stones, some of which are loose, which poses a threat to community members and other motorists.

Rundle also believes Fourth Avenue has not been sealed recently which led to the potholes forming.

He explained that sealing a road prevents water from seeping into the tar which can contribute to potholes forming.

“All of the roads should be repaired in a few months. There are contractors filling potholes, patching parts of roads and rehabilitating whole roads.”

Rundle said approximately 25 roads in each ward were identified.

While the road repairs are underway Rundle urged community members to be patient and understanding.

“There are 112 wards in the City. Some areas do not have the infrastructure which Edenvale has.”

“While working in areas where there is less infrastructure it can take the municipality and contractors longer to repair roads.”

Rundle assured community members that although the project may take some time roads and other projects are being addressed in Edenvale.

A request for comment was sent to the CoE’s communication department on August 7 requesting comment by August 8 at 1pm.

At the time of going to print no comment was received .