Inyoni Creek resident Shirley Pein has raised concerns about illegal dumping along Modderfontein Road, which is out of control.
Located near the intersection of Modderfontein and Pretoria roads where Modderfontein Road’s bridges cross the Jukskei River, an assortment of rubbish and debris can be found on the northern side of Modderfontein Road.
In the continually growing piles construction rubble, household waste and old tires are some of the items that can be found.
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Pein who has lived in the area for almost four years said illegal dumping started occurring soon after construction to improve the southern Modderfontein Road Bridge began.
She believes that some of the soil next to the river’s embankment was left by contractors when repairs initially started and never removed.
She said since then the dumping on the side of the road has continued unabated.
“It spoils the whole area,” said Pein.
One of Pein’s greatest concerns is the health risk the dumped material potentially poses to the surrounding community.
In the area are not only residential properties, and businesses but there are also three retirement villages namely Elphin Lodge, Tarentaal and Inyoni Creek.
Pein said the dumped material is bound to attract vermin such as rats.
Crossing the Jukskei near the dumped material, on the southern Modderfontein Road Bridge, traffic flow becomes constricted by plastic and concrete barriers narrowing the two lanes down to one.
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According to Pein, construction on the bridge started several years ago.
She said when the community first heard about the upgrade many were excited.
In September of 2023, the NEWS reported that the upstream gabion works installed on the south bridge single cell were extended.
The project stemmed from the need to increase the cell capacity to accommodate the river flowing below.
In previous years there were instances where the river overflowed and flooded onto the deck of the bridge damaging infrastructure.
With construction work, on the Southern bridge, which is reportedly completed Pein questioned why there was a need for the barriers.
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“Modderfontein Road is a busy road, the barriers on the bridge congest traffic.”
A request for comment was sent to the City of Johannesburg and the Johannesburg Roads Agency on October 9 requesting comment by October 11 at 13:30.
At the time of going to print no comment was received.
