JUST IN: Jersey barrier to restrict Kingsway at washaway site while emergency funding sought

WARD councillor for neighbouring ward 97, Cllr Andre Beetge has confirmed that the city’s engineers are assessing damages to the washaway of the undercarriage of Kingsway above Wavecrest Road in Athlone Park, with a view to prioritising emergency funds for its repair at an executive committee (Exco) meeting of the municipality on Monday, 23 October.

However, Beetge confirmed that in the meantime, a concrete jersey barrier will be installed at the dangerous precipice, to ensure the safety of motorists using the southbound lane. This is the same road narrowing system which was used on the Kingsway-Adams Road bridge repair for several months while the repair of the washaway there was underway.

READ: JUST IN: Kingsway barriers removed over railway bridge (September 21, 2017)

The gabion baskets supporting the section of Kingsway, above Wavecrest Road, were washed away when last Tuesday’s (10 October) deluge sent huge water volumes into the stormwater drainage system beneath the road. Several rows of gabion baskets – metal casings that held tons of stone as a retention system – were rendered useless against the force of the water as it sent tons of soil and support from the road’s undercarriage foundation through two Wavecrest Road properties below.

READ: [VIDEO] Torrential storm batters Amanzimtoti

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As such, the southbound lane of Kingsway has been rendered impassable, with only a chevron tape warning motorists of the danger.

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