N2 sinkhole site of crashes as SANRAL focuses on repairs
Roads agency assures motorists it is attending to sinkhole but stops short of providing a timeline
THE South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) has confirmed that repairs are underway at the site of the sinkhole on the shoulder of the N2 at Adams Road.
However Logashri Sewnarain, SANRAL Eastern region manager stopped short of saying how long completion of the repairs are expected to take.
“SANRAL takes seriously its mandate from government to manage and maintain the national road network. In so doing, the safety and wellbeing of road users and the communities in which it operates are paramount,” said Sewnarain. He confirmed the torrential rains of a fortnight ago resulted in an extensive sinkhole surfacing on the N2 near the Adams Road turn-off.
“The heavy rains eroded the foundations of the culvert beneath the N2, causing it to settle, resulting in a sinkhole in the shoulder of the road. SANRAL is investigating the extent of the damage caused and repairs will be undertaken shortly. SANRAL apologises to the motoring public for any inconvenience caused and thanks them for their patience while repairs are administered.
SANRAL apologises to the motoring public for any inconvenience caused and thanks them for their patience while repairs are administered.
Motorists are urged to proceed with caution and their patience and co-operation will be appreciated.”
Meanwhile, the sinkhole which is located on an accident-prone bend just ahead of the Adams Road off-ramp, has been the site of several car crashes since the road was narrowed from two lanes to one. In one such accident, two children were injured when the car they were passengers in was rear-ended at the sinkhole at about 6pm on Wednesday, 3 August.
Netcare 911 paramedics found a 15-year-old girl and 10-year-old boy from the front vehicle had sustained injuries. The girl was seriously injured, while the boy escaped with minor injuries. No-one else was injured in the collision. Reports from the scene indicate that a vehicle was slowing down at the sinkhole when it was rear-ended by another.
Paramedics stabilised the teen girl and immobilised her on a trauma board before removing her from the vehicle. Medics transported both the injured to a local hospital under the care of an advanced life support paramedic.
Traffic gridlocks several times a day, especially during the afternoon rush hour when Toti’s migrant workforce returns from the north.
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