Wemmer Pan Road remains closed for motorists’ safety

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17-02-2023
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Joburg.org.za
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The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has completed the investigation stage of the Wemmer Pan Road. However, the agency warns motorists to continue being cautious and use alternative routes until construction has been completed and the road is officially reopened.

The JRA carried out an emergency full closure of Wemmer Pan Road (crossing Turf Siding Road and Reynold Street) two years ago as a safety precaution following the development of sinkholes as a result of illegal mining in the area.

JRA acting CEO Louis Nel says the formation of sinkholes in the Wemmer Pan area pose a serious safety hazard to motorists and pedestrians alike. 

He says an assessment by JRA indicated that there is severe damage to critical infrastructure therefore.

The rehabilitation scope extends to roadworks, stormwater infrastructure, and telecommunication power lines crossing the affected area.

“These will have to be demolished when the excavation phase commences to get to the core of the cave-ins that came about as a result of the illegal mining trenches that were dug under the roadway up to a depth of 15 meters over this distance,” he says.    

Nel says that the investigation stages have been completed and design plans for the reconstruction of the dual carriageway are currently being finalised. 

“Once the supply chain management and other relevant processes have been completed, the JRA will appoint a contractor who will deliver on the specifications and scope of work required,” he says. 

Nel says that further details on the commencement of road reconstruction and the project timelines will be communicated as soon as a contractor has been appointed.

Considering that Wemmer Pan Road is a primary distributor road  and one of the City’s busiest transport node that connects to national, regional and municipal routes (N17, M2 East and West, and Wemmer Jubilee), heightened traffic was anticipated at the time of the closure so the following traffic diversion plan was devised and implemented:
 
• Motorists leaving the Johannesburg CBD travelling in a southerly direction along Wemmer Pan should turn right at the Reynolds Street intersection followed by an immediate left turn at the intersection of Rosettenville Road and Fennel Street. ​Proceed southwards along Rosettenville Road until the intersection with Turf Siding Road where they will be able to join Wemmer Pan Road again.

• Motorists from Turffontein travelling in a northerly direction along Wemmer Pan Road should turn left at Turf Siding Road intersection followed by an immediate right turn at the intersection of Rosettenville Road. Proceed northwards along Rosettenville Road until the intersection with Fennel Street where they will be able to join Wemmer Pan Road again.

• Alternatively, drivers can avoid Wemmer Pan Road by using Turf Road and Rosettenville Road as an alternative route to travel between Turffontein and Johannesburg CBD.