The prolonged rains that lingered in the wake of Tropical Storm Eloise have left their fair share of damage in local communities; flooding, fallen trees and serious potholes being some of the most common issues.
It is widely known that if it rains, Robert Broom Drive often needs to be closed off due to flooding, but residents are concerned that the problems on the bridge run deeper than a bit of water. The asphalt is cracking and motorists are fearful of the bridge collapsing.
Initially sharing the residents’ concerns, Ward 83 councillor Florence Roberts organised a Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) inspection to assess the damage and any potential dangers that could arise. As the bridge marks the border between Roodekrans and Krugersdorp, the responsibility of rectifying any issues is shared by both the City of Joburg (CoJ) and Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM). Therefore, representatives from both municipalities needed to attend the site visit.
On Friday, 5 February the rains had died down enough for a technical inspection to be conducted, so the JRA Regional Manager, Lawrence Maseko met with Florence, a few members of her ward committee, and MCLM Ward 22 representative, Tyroné van der Linde, who attended on behalf of Councillor Jade Miller. The rain returned shortly after the start of the inspection but several important points were still established.
The JRA team informed the councillors and committee members in attendance that the flooding occurs because there is an excess of plant and tree debris and root growth, so when there is heavy rain, a blockage occurs at the culvert of the river stream running below the bridge, which results in the water overflowing onto the road. However, despite the cracks in the road and the concern residents show when the bridge does flood, the Robert Broom bridge was built to withstand flooding and is not in a state of collapse, so there is no need for concern at this time. Regular assessments are conducted on the road, each with a detailed report monitored by Lawrence. “The road and its users are safe. There is no need to panic,” stated the Ward 83 councillor.
CoJ and MCLM will need to work together to remove the plants and debris in the flood path, especially two large wattle trees and a collapsed wing wall, if they hope to lessen the frequency of the flooding. The JRA team stated that the debris in the stream is cleared out annually; however, the budget only covers a specific tonnage that can be removed each year, and this limit was already hit by the middle of the financial year, therefore the budget needs to be increased (a point Florence will be giving special attention to in the Ward 83 Community-based Planning Session).
JRA also pointed out the need for gabions to be installed along the riverbank so that the flood path and river bed are spared from debris. Linda Kuhn from Environmental Health will be contacted to provide direction as to how the debris-cleaning can be managed better. Suggestions to install debris traps further up the stream towards the Manie Mulder Waterfall will also be pitched during the relevant CBP sessions.
It is expected that March will bring more rain, so the Mogale City and CoJ representatives want to make it clear to residents that even if the bridge floods, there is no need to worry. The municipalities will be working together to rectify the issue and will continue with their regular inspections of the bridge. The bridge is not compromised or leaking in any way, so it is completely safe for motorists.
