Motorists travelling along Jakes Gerwel Drive near Bonteheuwel should prepare for delays on Monday, 26 October, as the City of Cape Town carries out urgent road repairs following illegal digging beneath a bridge.
According to the City, the damage has affected the southbound lanes between Bofors Circle and the N2 highway, with two right-hand lanes scheduled to close after the morning peak period.
The City’s Roads Infrastructure Management (RIM) Department began repair work over the weekend after becoming aware of the digging beneath Bonteheuwel Bridge, near the railway line, on Friday evening, 23 October.
The City said the affected southbound lanes would remain open during Monday morning’s peak period, although traffic flow would be affected as motorists slow down when approaching sections of damaged road.
At around 09:30, the two right-hand lanes will be closed to allow repairs to continue. The closures are expected to remain in place until the work is complete.
Road users have been warned to expect congestion and delays along this stretch of Jakes Gerwel Drive into Monday evening. If work proceeds as planned, repairs should be completed by early evening.
According to the City, people suspected of living beneath Bonteheuwel Bridge appear to have been digging out sand to create space for living and sleeping. The activity has affected the road surface above the area.
The RIM Department has been on site throughout the weekend to address the damage, but the City said the work would not be completed before Monday.
The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas, urged motorists to avoid the affected section where possible and consider alternative routes.
‘We ask road users to please avoid this section of Jakes Gerwel Drive tomorrow, and to consider using alternative routes if possible. Traffic flow will be impacted as road users will have to slow down when approaching the gravel patches on the southbound lanes. Once we close the two righthand lanes along this section, traffic flow will be even slower, thus best is to avoid Jakes Gerwel Drive if you can. We apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience while we are doing the repairs,’ said Quintas.
The City has asked members of the public to report any sightings of people digging beneath bridges to its call centre.
Motorists are advised to reduce their speed when approaching the affected section and allow extra time for their journeys on Monday.
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Picture: Jakes Gerwel Drive/Facebook
