Snake Valley Road (M24) in Centurion closed due to a sinkhole

The City of Tshwane has urged motorists around the Valhalla area in Centurion to avoid using the Snake Valley Road (M24) between Old Johannesburg(R101) and Fjord Road due to a sinkhole. 

Over the years, Centurion has been hit by sinkholes which have formed either on major roads or outside people’s homes. It has even been nicknamed the ‘Sinkhole Alley’. 

ANOTHER SINKHOLE APPEARS IN CENTURION

The above-mentioned part of the road has been closed after large cracks were noticed on the road on Thursday, 27 October 2022.

The City of Tshwane said at first, only one lane of the road was affected but it later extended across the roadway to affect all four lanes. 

On 28 and 29 October 2022, the affected area was observed to be increasing in size and depth and was then classified as a sinkhole. 

The sinkhole affected area extends from inside the military property, across the road and up to the verge on the southern side. 

The municipality said it must be emphasised that the road is unsafe for both motorists and pedestrians. 

“The city urges all members of the public around the Valhalla area to exercise caution in the area and map alternative routes during daily travels. The city is currently busy with investigations to determine the extent of the sinkhole in order to prepare for the road rehabilitation.”

As previously reported, the presence of dolomite, which is most likely activated by heavy rains, is the reason behind sinkholes in Centurion.

According to the Council for Geoscience, in the past five years alone, roughly 200 sinkholes were recorded across Gauteng. 

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