Traffic delays and detours will remain for weeks to come as repairs on a bulk sewer main that collapsed on Prince George Drive are yet to be completed.
According to Ward 72 councillor Kevin Southgate, City of Cape Town contractors are working on replacing pipes that are around 25 m to 30 m long.
Contractors are working four metres below the ground level and replacing such infrastructure may take weeks to complete.
On Thursday 6 April, Southgate conducted a site visit to assess the progress. He said the sinkhole, which has had a huge impact on traffic, will take another five to six weeks to repair.
“Contractors are working four metres below ground level and we are now not just repairing, we are taking out an entire line or segment to reduce the risk of further collapse. They are also opening up the road further down,” said Southgate.
He added that a two-way traffic system has had a positive impact on traffic flow.
“We have, in the meantime, created a two-way traffic system on the other side of Prince George Drive and that has had a major positive impact on traffic flow.
“So now motorists are being diverted through the residential area of Cafda.
“This is also helping the petrol station on Prince George Drive that had been losing business due to the traffic diversion.”
He further explained that replacing the pipes and repair work is expected to take up to six weeks.
“We thought it would take two to three weeks to fix but it looks like it may take five or six weeks.
“It is about 25 to 30 metres of pipe being replaced and they are trying their level best as it is treated as an emergency.”
According to the City, the extent of repairs required on the 990 mm diameter bulk sewer main that collapsed on Prince George Drive on Sunday 19 March is still to be determined.
“The City’s traffic service implemented a trial contra flow, turning the dual southbound carriageway of Prince George Drive into a two-way from 05:00 until 15:00, on a trial basis, to offer further relief to motorists.
“Should the trial be successful, the contraflow will be implemented on weekdays, until the sewer repair has been completed.”
For the afternoon peak, the southbound lane will revert to a dual carriageway heading towards Muizenberg, to accommodate the increase in traffic heading in that direction, and motorists heading northbound will be required to make use of the original diversions via Joe Marks Boulevard.
Meanwhile, the Water and Sanitation Directorate has appointed a contractor to determine the extent of the repairs required, and to complete the work which includes breaking through the road surface and removing the tar, excavating a large quantity of sand and installing shoring to prevent the excavation site from caving in.
