Repair work is in the pipeline for a sinkhole that has plagued motorists and Illiondale residents alike.
The subsidence, at the T-junction of Laurie and Hubert Mathew roads, formed last April.
Since then, little has been done to address the issue, leading to Hubert Mathew Road being closed with barricades.
ALSO READ: Illiondale roads barricaded to prevent further deterioration
In March, concrete barricades were placed across the road to prevent motorists from using the T-junction.
At the time, CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said they did it to prevent community members from putting themselves at risk and to halt any potential increase in the sinkhole’s size.
After inspecting the site, the city determined that a structural failure happened at the junction box below the road’s surface.
Dlamini said one or multiple reasons could have caused the failure. These include the infrastructure’s age, deterioration, soil movement, rain, corrosion, incorrectly installed infrastructure, tree roots or construction activity.
Previously, Ward 18 Clr Heather Hart explained that repairs had not begun because funds for the project were not allocated during the adjustment budget passed in February.
The city confirmed this in February when it informed the NEWS that the project to repair the site was not put on the budget.
ALSO READ: No emergency funds for Illiondale sinkhole – CoE
Despite the grim outlook and seven months of a closed intersection, Hart said repairs could start in several months.
Hart said that after receiving this year’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) documents, she noticed the sinkhole repair work was not included.
“I saw an allocation of funds for upgrading roads and stormwater infrastructure.
“I consulted with various officials and established that although there wasn’t a specific budget for the T-junction, it was possible that part of the budget could be used for repairs,” said Hart.
She said the plans and drawings were finalised and approved.
Officials also informed her that a project was earmarked to do the repairs, but the city is still waiting for the appointment of a new panel of contractors.
ALSO READ: Upgrades underway on Illiondale’s Mark Road
Hart said although appointing contractors could take several months, she hopes repairs will begin by the start of the new year.
“This site has been of great concern, not only to me but to the community. We have this aberration in our town and the matter has worried me, so I continued to push for answers.”
Hart noted that the repairs would be a major project.
“From what I understand, the area needs to be dug up, any damaged infrastructure repaired before the site is filled, and the road surface is repaired,” said Hart.
