Still no headway in repairs to Bluff Road being completed

MORE than three months after workmanship got underway to repair infrastructure on Bluff Road, it has come to a halt.

In February, the SUN reported that repairs were expected to be completed (Bluff Road repairs well underway, February 17, 2023).

At the time, Zoë Solomon, the ward 66 councillor, said there were various contributing factors that resulted in massive potholes being formed on the road, one of which was due to the continuous flow of natural water. The water was bubbling up and causing a massive swamp on the side of the road, as there was no canal or proper drainage system in place.

She said due to the constant wetness on the road, together with the weight of heavy trucks and constant traffic, the road became unstable, which in turn resulted in large and unavoidable potholes.

At the time, workers were in the process of rerouting the natural water straight into the stormwater drain, and were expected to complete laying the pipes down and resurface the road.

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This week, Solomon said, according to an official from the roads department, the delay was due to the ingress of water from the east side (upper portion) of Bluff Road.

“I have been informed that it is either groundwater or potable water, and due to the high flow rate it is suspected that it may be due to a leaking water pipe. However, the water department has been conducting tests.

“According to the official, if it is not potable water then the challenge they have is that there is no outlet on the downstream side, which is in Transnet property. The department has been consulting with Transnet so that they can assist with identifying the stormwater infrastructure. I will provide further updates once more information is available. In the interim I urge motorists to drive with caution, or use an alternate route where possible,” she said.