uMngeni starts work on storm water drain

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14-11-2024
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The Witness
Source

Howick residents, especially those who use Karkloof Road regularly, have welcomed the project and said they were happy it was being sorted out before it was too late.

uMngeni Municipality has started fixing a structural failure caused by a collapsing storm water drain beneath Karkloof Road near Yard 41 in Howick.

Initially, it was planned to cost R4.5 million and to involve a two-week road closure with a detour.

However, due to various estates, homeowners’ associations and businesses not agreeing with the plan, the municipality will now spend R9 million for the project, which is expected to be completed in about six months.

Mayor Chris Pappas said the municipality indicated in its initial communication to the public that the rainy season may delay the project.

“The project involves pipe jacking a new storm water drain under the road, almost like drilling a new hole for the storm water pipe,” said Pappas.

The old Armco storm water pipe had started to collapse causing the road to start subsiding and the storm water to back up into Symmonds stream. Three sections of pipe have been installed.

Like other parts of KwaZulu-Natal, uMngeni also experienced heavy rains in the past days but the contractor continued with the work. In a video shared by Pappas recently, employees can be seen working while it rained. There are however days where they couldn’t work.

Howick residents, especially those who use Karkloof Road regularly, have welcomed the project and said they were happy it was being sorted out before it was too late.

Robin Jones, who recently moved to the Midlands and travels on Karkloof Road every day, said she noticed that the road wasn’t straight after the speed hump near Yard 41 and was happy to hear it will be fixed.

The first time it took me back a bit but I realised it wasn’t that dangerous. I’m happy that the municipality is doing this project before it becomes worse and poses danger to motorists and pedestrians.

“The climate change has hit and a lot is happening and I always wonder what would happen if the area would flood,” said Jones.