While motorists and pedestrians were barred from using the closed portion of Pierre Road due to safety concerns, taxis seem to be unbothered by the precaution.
Residents have noticed taxis using the barricaded part of Pierre Road to evade traffic.
A concerned resident told the Northsider that taxi drivers drive on the sidewalk to bypass the barricades and then continue on the dangerous route.
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https://roodepoortnorthsider.co.za/288915/pierre-road-repairs-to-commence-this-year/
This route was closed for rehabilitation in 2018 after the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) had assessed it and declared the culvert unsafe. The process to reconstruct the road has been hampered by internal challenges in the City, such as budget constraints and difficulties obtaining consent from a difficult landowner.
Ward 97 councillor Leah Knott said she was aware of the taxi drivers’ behaviour. “One of our ward committee members mentioned this to me, and I asked the JRA depot to reinforce the barricades,” she said.
She also advised the bridges section at head office for an update on the rehabilitation project.
Leah promised to follow up with the said department to get clarity as to when the bridge will be attended to.
This is a developing story.
