Sjampanje bridge crumbles amid heavy rainfall
With no timeline for repairs and no response from JW regarding the sewage spill, frustration is mounting among residents, who are calling for urgent intervention.
The Sjampanje Street bridge sustained further structural damage following heavy rains and flooding on the evening of March 5.
The bridge was deemed unsafe by the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) and closed to the public after it collapsed in December 2023.
Also read: Sjampanje Street bridge to remain closed for safety
Despite being closed for months, no repair work has been carried out, and the recent storms have exacerbated the situation.
In addition to the deteriorating bridge, a Johannesburg Water (JW) sewage pipe near the bridge has either burst or become dislodged, causing raw sewage to spill into a nearby stream. More than a week after the leak was first reported, no visible repairs were made, and JW has yet to communicate any plans to address the issue.
The ongoing spillage has raised serious health and environmental concerns for the community. The heavy rains also damaged electricity cables in the area. While repairs for the bridge have been approved, the budget repair has yet to be finalised, leaving residents uncertain about when work will begin. This delay, combined with the closure, has caused significant traffic disruptions.
“This is inconveniencing us through traffic as we have to drive all around to access Curro Wilgeheuwel or Kwena Square if coming from the other side,” said Yvonne Ackerman, secretary of the Wilgeheuwel Honeydew Residents Association.
“I am not confident that the bridge will be fixed this year.”
At the time of print, neither the JRA nor JW responded to requests for comment.
