John Ross Parkway sinkhole progress report

TRAFFIC on the John Ross Parkway will soon be redirected onto the eastbound carriageway as work to repair the road collapse moves over to the westbound lane.

This is according to Ibhongo Consulting Engineer Johan Coetzee, who presented a progress report on the sinkhole repair at the Zululand Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZCCI) Divisional meeting in Empangeni last week.

‘This is a 10-week programme which started on 5 September, about a week after the collapse. We are on time according to the programme.

‘In about two-and-a-half weeks from now, at the most three weeks, we’ll be over to the westbound. We will put the traffic on the eastbound and work will begin on the westbound.

‘There we will do exactly the same, open up and construct exactly the same: base slab, culverts right through to the other side,’ Coetzee said.

He said they expect the work to be completed by mid-November.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Mayhem as John Ross Parkway caves in

Last month two lanes were opened on the westbound, to allow traffic flow following the occurrence of the sinkhole, which forced the road closure.

KZN Department of Transport spokesperson Kwanele Ncalane said they remain optimistic that the construction will be finished before time.

‘The initial timeline was 10 weeks but the MEC has asked the contractor to speed up the pace even if it means working weekends and at night.

‘That is not to pressurise them but we want to ensure that this is completed speedily for the commuters.

‘The only thing that might disrupt the time frame is the weather but we remain optimistic that they can finish before time,’ Ncalane said.

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