Roadworks on a major highway in Pretoria, South Africa – Photo by Gallo Images / Franco Megannon)
Roadworks on a major highway in Pretoria, South Africa – Photo by Gallo Images / Franco Megannon)
Argh, this again! Just weeks after sinkholes were reported near the N1 in Centurion, another geological nightmare has engulfed Gauteng. Two new ‘swallowed earth’ sites have appeared along the R21 near Olifantsfontein, leaving commuters in Midrand to handle an almighty traffic nightmare.
SANRAL confirmed on Wednesday that traffic would be disrupted on the route ‘for some time to come’, after the sinkholes were reported just after 16:00 on 14 February. Two lanes have been shut down on the carriageway, and the R21 is facing some serious structural challenges now:
According to SANRAL, it’s the northbound side of the road that has been hampered by these sinkholes. Those heading towards Pretoria have been encouraged to avoid the route if they can, during peak rush hour volumes. The road agency has apologised for the inconvenience, but it’ll be scant consolation for thousands of affected motorists.
“The South African National Road Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) would like to notify the public and road users of ongoing road closures due to a new sinkhole that formed along the R21 near Olifantsfontein.”
“Two sinkholes formed on Monday afternoon just before 16h00 along the R21 northbound carriageway towards Pretoria, just after the Olifantsfontein interchange at R21 section 2. SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused during this period and will continue to provide updates to road users as information becomes available.”
SANRAL statement