Clr Bill Rundle calls for greater road and river maintenance

The heavy rains of January 30 highlighted the need for roads and stormwater maintenance in parts of Edenvale after roads were turned into rivers and bridges submerged.

This late afternoon storm turned the community into chaos as debris clogged stormwater arteries and eroded the already damaged roads.

According to Ward 19 councillor Ald Bill Rundle, some of the worst-hit parts of the town included the Sixth Avenue Bridge, Diagonal Street and stormwater infrastructure on First Avenue opposite Amelia Street.

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Speaking at the aftermath of the flood at Sixth Avenue Bridge, a frustrated Rundle said the bridge was initially damaged in 2011.

“The 2016 floods put the bridge on the map and highlighted the need for repairs,” said Rundle.

He said a lack of maintenance, mixed with the activities of recyclers discarding unwanted items into the river, contributed to debris accumulating around the supports of the Sixth Avenue Bridge.

Rundle said before the rains occurred, he requested that the stormwater systems be cleared of debris, however, this reportedly did not happen.

“In terms of maintenance, the waterways and wetlands fall under the custody of the local government,” said Rundle.

“Local government has to clean and maintain it, but if changes want to be implemented to the river or existing bridges, it requires the attention of national departments and getting a water-use license.”

Rundle emphasised no water use license, which can take two years to obtain, is required to do maintenance.

As one of the few remaining bridges left in the northern Avenues, the Sixth Avenue Bridge is a vital traffic artery for residents of the Avenues, connecting them to Van Riebeeck Avenue via Mynhardt Street.

Rundle said the Fourth Avenue bridge was closed when deemed unusable.

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Besides large amounts of debris clogging the water flow under the bridge, the stormwater drain atop the bridge was almost impossible to find.

If one of the drain covers had not collapsed, Bedfordview and Edenvale News would not have located the clogged drain.

Similarly, the bridge’s surface does not fare any better.

Lined with cracks and several potholes, it appears to be a waiting game before this bridge is also closed.

Despite the negative outlook, Rundle said repair work on the bridge’s surface does occur to ensure that it remains as operational as possible.

Highlighting the deteriorating condition of Edenvale’s roads, Rundle took Bedfordview and Edenvale News on a tour of Sixth Avenue to display the effect of the lack of maintenance on the road.

Described as a category six, a residential road, Rundle said the biggest challenge is that the road was not sealed correctly when they conducted the repairs.

He said when this occurs, water seeps underneath the tar and starts to erode the roadbed underneath.

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Rundle said with consistent water and motorists driving over the damaged section of the road, potholes start forming.

Rundle pointed out another cause for the deteriorating road conditions is leaking water meter pipes, which cross under roads from property to property.

During the tour with Rundle on February 1, he showed the publication at least two water meter pipe leaks; one located near the corner of Sixth Avenue and Tenth Street has existed for four years.

When asked if any remediation work had been done, Rundle confirmed none.

A request for comment was sent to the City of Ekurhuleni on February 1, requesting a comment by February 5 at 09.30.

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