No repairs done yet on collapsing old Bethal Road in Trichardt

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14-03-2025
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Ridge Times
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The sinkhole on the bridge was reported in January, but two months later, no ‘prompt or efficient’ work has begun.

Two months later, no work has been done on the collapsing old Bethal Road in Trichardt. The Ridge Times reported in its January 15 edition the heavy downpours of rain caused severe damage to the many deteriorating roads in Trichardt.

The old Bethal Road began caving in on the left emergency lane at the bridge from Trichardt town, heading towards the scrapyard.

The MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport, Thulasizwe Thomo, visited the site on January 8.

“We conducted an assessment of the damages and committed to mobilise our response teams to do the repairs promptly and efficiently,” Thomo said during the assessment.

Thomo’s visit to the site can be viewed on GMM’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19GLHDvkzt/

In a follow-up, it looks like the collapsing hole is getting bigger. They used bricks and gravel to cover the hole, and there was no sign of the commencement of prompt or efficient work.

The Ridge Times asked Donald Green, spokesperson for Govern Mbeki Municipality (GMM) when repairs will start, why it takes so long to repair the road that collapsed, what the challenges are concerning the repair of this road and how long this repair would take.

“The Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport assured the GMM they will finalise the repair plans following the site inspection of the MEC and his team,” Green said.

He said preliminary timelines for repairs will depend on the complexity of the repairs required and the availability of resources.

“The department has prioritised the safety of road users by installing barricades and signage to prevent access to the damaged section of the bridge.

“The department and the municipality are committed to ensure repairs are carried out promptly,” Green concluded.

The TW Group repaired the intersection of Ruth First and Bekker Street. Upon visiting the site where work has begun, the Ridge Times spoke to Danie Venter.

“We do this with our own money and cost,” Venter said.

He explained the road conditions were not suitable for customers and the community having to access businesses and buildings in the area owned by the TW Group.

“The road conditions are bad advertising for the businesses around here. We want to make it neat and accessible,” Venter said.

Instead of tar, the TW Group has opted for a cheaper and long-term solution by grading down the road, stabilising it with cement and laying down bricks.

Venter encourages other businesses to start repairing roads to improve accessibility. What is troubling is all roads in Trichardt require serious repairs and urgent fixing by GMM. Many roads have turned into gravel where tar once was and motorists have to dodge or drive through huge potholes in most of Trichardt’s roads.