Design and environmental work being down on the West Road is at an advanced stage said JRA.
Since 30 October last year, the West Road has been closed off to motorists due to safety concerns. The road was closed after it was discovered that the deterioration of it had gotten to a state of risk for the public. According to Siyabonga Genu of the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), the decay of the bridge was visible to them during a routine inspection at the time. It’s been almost 10 months since it was closed but there is good news. Genu said the detailed design and environmental authorisation of the rehabilitation project of the road is at an advance stage.
Genu explained exactly what the issue with the road was. “JRA observed visible deterioration due to the age of the structure, which indicated imminent collapse if continued loading of the over-carriageway was allowed. Furthermore, the anticipated increased flow of water during the peak rain season may carry debris which will forcefully push against the major culvert, causing its foundation to wash away and structural elements to break apart further.”
Due to this, the JRA was forced to reconstruct the bridge to provide for larger capacity to accommodate the water flow. Residents and motorists will need to remain patient as the project is still far from complete.
Genu said, “The designs are currently under way and planned for completion in September 2019. Key to the reconstruction of the bridge is environment authorisation which is currently under way and planned for completion in March 2020.”
He concluded that, if all goes according to plan, construction will only begin in May 2020 and finish in December 2020.
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