Nearly a year after 12 sinkholes appeared on the main road in Montague Gardens, causing business owners to lose millions of rands, the City has announced that the final repairs are underway.
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Last month, frustrated business owners expressed that they had lost up to 25 percent of their turnover due to the damage caused by the sinkholes. They noted that the damage led to traffic congestion and car accidents.
Councillor Zahid Badroodien, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, stated that the repairs are expected to be completed by mid-June, at a cost of R2.5 million.
The road initially collapsed in August 2023 at several points along the 50-year-old, 900mm fibre cement bulk sewer pipeline, which lies five meters underground. The City hired a contractor for emergency sewer repairs, completed in January, with road reinstatement as the final phase of the project.
The project faced several delays, including the need for a specialist road contractor.
Badroodien explained that there was a collaborative effort between Road Infrastructure Management Services (RIMS) and Water and Sanitation to ensure the road meets RIMS standards and specifications.
‘I am pleased that reinstatements have finally started, and even earlier than anticipated, thanks to the tireless efforts of our team. The City budgeted approximately R2.5 million for the reinstatement phase of this major repair,’ he said.
‘We understand the frustration of residents and business owners and thank them for their patience during this process.’
‘Every effort is being made to open at least one lane in the southbound carriageway as soon as possible.’
Tony Pronk, owner of Montague Gardens Hardware, commented, ‘They are fixing the road, but sadly, it’s four months late. We expected the completion in January.’
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Picture: @sboshmafu / X