Illiondale roads barricaded to prevent further deterioration
"The truck was used to collect some of the very few concrete barriers that the city owns, from Bedfordview, and brought them to the site,”
Several concrete barriers were placed around the sinkhole located at the T-junction of Laurie and Hubert Mathew roads.
Placed by the City of Ekurhuleni’s Edenvale Roads Depot on March 1, the barriers were installed after Bedfordview and Edenvale News was informed by the city that the matter was not placed on the current or future budget.
Since a subsidence started forming at the T-junction in April last year, the site received limited attention raising concerns from the community and Ward 18 Alderman Heather Hart alike.
According to the city, there are no funds for emergency repairs.
ALSO READ: No emergency funds for Illiondale sinkhole – CoE
City spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said the plan to place concrete barriers is to prevent motorists from making use of the T-junction.
He said by doing this they will prevent putting themselves at risk and potentially increasing the size of the sinkhole.
Speaking at the site, Hart said the biggest challenge in ensuring that the T-junction could be blocked off was securing a crane truck.
“I am not certain as to why but after waiting close to a year a crane truck was finally secured.
“The truck was used to collect some of the very few concrete barriers that the city owns, from Bedfordview, and brought them to the site,” said Hart.
“As far as I am aware some more are meant to be brought from Thembisa.”
Hart said although the barriers were paced across Hubert Mathew Road, motorists still made use of the T-Junction despite the danger.
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She said motorists drive over the Southern pavement of the intersection, damaging kerbstones around the sinkhole further.
This was seen by the NEWS when a bakkie avoided the intersection and drove on the pavement to get around the obstructed T-junction.
“Rather than enduring a minor inconvenience and going around the block, some motorists are contributing to the problem. This could result in the project costing more than it should to repair,” said Hart.
Hart estimates that the project will cost between R15m and R20m to repair.
Although relieved that some forms of permanent barriers were erected, Hart said the only thing to do now is to manage the reckless drivers.
“If we as a society don’t follow rules and set examples, how do we expect anyone else to?”
Explaining why no repairs have been done on-site, Hart said there were no funds in the adjustment budget to repair the site.
“During the adjustment budget, the city has the opportunity to look at projects that were budgeted for which will not be implemented and reallocate funds to other pressing or newer projects,”
Hart said she was disappointed that no funds were allocated during the adjustment budget that was passed in council on February 29.
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She said the next opportunity to see if there are funds allocated will be in the draft budget.
“This is what I have been requesting,” said Hart.
She said the council is still waiting for the draft budget to be brought forward.
