The Johannesburg Roads Agency has confirmed that it will cost an estimated R6.1 million to repair the sinkhole that has caused the closure of Coleraine Drive in Bryanston.
The repair on the road began on 18 March. It is estimated that the repair will take between four and six months to complete.
Ward councillor Vincent Earp had previously complained that information regarding the condition of Coleraine Drive was sketchy.
This comes after the road collapsed into a sinkhole in Riverclub and has been closed off from motorists. Earp said, “It seems I am getting more information regarding the damage to Coleraine Drive from external sources and not the Johannesburg Roads Agency.”
Vusi Sikhakhane, the regional operations manager of the roads agency, told Earp he was also not informed about the developments and repairs happening on Coleraine Drive. “It is embarrassing for the roads agency that the ward councillor and I are kept in the dark about this matter,” said Sikhakhane.
Earp added, “The situation regarding Coleraine Drive has become untenable. I am at a loss as to why the roads agency keeps its own head of operations in the dark regarding the damaged road. My residents want to know what is happening. I have received very little from the roads agency except for what Vusi Sikhakhane tells me.”
On 19 March the roads agency will have a press conference regarding the plans in place to repair and upgrade flood damage to road infrastructure in the Johannesburg area. Bertha Peters-Scheepers, spokesperson for the roads agency, confirmed the press conference will address the plans in progress for the collapsed road on Coleraine Drive.
Earp said he was not invited to the press conference. He added, “I need to inform my residents of the progress or lack thereof by the roads agency. However, to date I have heard no talk and [seen] no action.”
The roads agency has also confirmed that R751 000 will be spent on the repair of Ballyclare Drive. The repairs will begin on 22 April and will be concluded within three months.
