Pretoria Avenue excavation will take weeks to reinstate
JW still working on leak on Pretoria Avenue in Sandton.
Commuters, and people residing near Pretoria Avenue – cushioned between Katherine Street and Rivonia Road – will have noticed the small ‘dam’ which has formed along the closed route.
This is due to a water leak and the excavation is expected to be a feature of the road for a few weeks.
Ward 91 councillor Andrew Stewart said on June 25 that Johannesburg Water (JW) would complete the repair of the water pipe by June 28.
“Affected communities have been notified,” Stewart added. “Thereafter, due to the size and depth of the hole, full reinstatement of the road could take three weeks to complete.”
Ntombizodwa Mxhuma, an employee in the area, shared how challenging it was for her to make her way to work.
“I was late for work and struggling to cross [the excavation], so I borrowed a guy’s boots and wore them to cross and get to work,” Mxhuma said. “I walk here almost every day. It’s very difficult to pass through here now.”
Questions were sent to Johannesburg Water on June 25. The utility was asked when the repairs would be completed, the cost and how the funding was allocated for unplanned repairs.
JW was also asked why it had been necessary for the whole road to be excavated, as well as how such leaks could be prevented. No feedback had been issued by JW at the time of going to print.
Related article: Ward 91 faces persistent water and power outages
