According to an official report by SL Mdletshe, Emfuleni’s manager: Roads and Stormwater, the existing open stormwater channel was constructed when Hendrik van Eck Boulevard was built many years ago. The open channel ends at the intersection of Hendrik van Eck and Piet Retief Boulevards where it connects into an existing stormwater pipe that runs along Piet Retief in a southerly direction towards the river. The stormwater channel was constructed to cater for the stormwater runoff from the road as well as open farmland on the northern side.
When SE 8 was constructed the stormwater runoff from the town was also discharged into the channel via a 750mm diameter pipe. It functioned well for normal storms, however, there have been a few major storms which caused damage to the channel and threatened the structural durability of the road pavement layers.
In 2013 a portion of the stormwater channel that was encroaching on the road pavement layers was repaired by installing old stormwater pipes collected from the Roads Depots. Only this portion was closed as there was a shortage of pipes at that stage.
A detailed site investigation and full design was later conducted by the Road Technical staff, focusing on the installation of a new stormwater pipe that will in turn lead to the closing of the existing open channel. An order to procure new pipes was issued during the 2015/16 financial year.The existing open channel, discharge pipe and connection point were resurveyed in 2016 and the designs were updated accordingly.
The portion where the open channel is dangerously close to the road will now first be installed and then construction will move towards the connection point. According to Mr Mdletshe’s report, the entire project is planned for completion before 15 December this year.
A portion of about 120m needs to be excavated in a seemingly very rocky area. If these rocks cannot be conventionally excavated it will unfortunately delay completion.
Vaalweekblad knows of at least one accident involving this ditch. That was in 2012 when a tractor, towing a steam engine to the Wheels at the Vaal Expo, left the road with disastrous consequences. Fortunately no one was injured.
