CBD closure due to old pipes fixed

VEREENIGING. – Despite losses by some business people in the central business district (CBD) during upgrading, development and installation of new infrastructural pipes at Union Road in Vereeniging everything is finally back to normal.
Emfuleni Municipal Executive Mayor Gretha Hlongwane and Thokozane Boikhutso, head of the department of Bulk Sanitation, said it cost the construction project R47-million to develop and replace brand new pipes.
The road was closed for the installation of the new pipes in August last year.
This comes after the main pipe that passes the businesses burst. The resulting spill of sewage was running towards the taxi rank.
This brought everything to a standstill. Hlongwane and Boikhutso said they feel very relieved: “The building was about to fall due to the wetland. We appreciate all stakeholders for being so kind.
“We did our best to avoid any fatalities.Bulk Sanitation is however sorry to have lost one worker during construction.
“The previous pipes and/or electricity infrastructure was installed during the old regime. They were installed about 60 years ago. The current replaced pipes are 120 metres long.”
Boikhutso said she feels happy that most of the work has been done: “This was not an easy job. Motorists and business people around here were very upset when we closed the road. It was done for a good cause for both the safety of workers and people in general.” lazarus.dithagiso@media24.com