The rehabilitation of the Snake Road sinkhole in Benoni is nearly complete and the road is expected to open for traffic before the end of October.
This sinkhole, which developed in November 2019, grew to about 15m wide and 15m deep within a short space of time, leading to the closure of the road.
Geotechnical assessment revealed the area is not dolomitic but broken concrete stormwater pipe leakage was the cause of the sinkhole.
This leakage led to subsurface mobilisation, washing away all sub-base layers over a period of time developing an open cavity underneath the tar road.
Ekurhuleni spokesperson Themba Gadebe explained the heavy rain at the end of last year exacerbated the situation.
The concentrated ingress water also opened erosion channels from the surface, resulting in the collapse of the surface.
The work to rehabilitate the sinkhole started in January 2020.
The following work, which amounts to 95 per cent of the work, has already been done:
• The leaking stormwater line has been excavated and replaced.
• All wet services around this area have been checked or inspected for leaks and repaired.
• The sinkhole has been backfilled and compacted.
• The road re-surfacing is being done on site.
According to the City’s Roads and Stormwater official, Edwin Mathagu, who is based at the Benoni Depot, finishing work is being done on the road in readiness for its opening.
