This issue must be resolved urgently before it escalates into something more serious.
Ongoing roadworks on the southern bridge of Modderfontein Road have sparked growing frustration among residents, who are questioning the progress and timeline of the project. Local community members, including Inyoni Creek residents Shirley Pein and Lyonell Fliss, have expressed concerns about the lack of visible work and the prolonged presence of concrete and plastic barriers that seem to be blocking the road without any apparent purpose.
Fliss, a qualified civil engineer, explained that the roadworks began approximately three years ago but have been repeatedly delayed and halted. He believes the project, which aims to increase the capacity of the upstream gabion works on the south bridge, should have been completed by now. The work was necessary to prevent flooding from the nearby river, which had previously damaged infrastructure by overflowing onto the bridge deck. Despite this, residents feel that the project has been abandoned and is causing unnecessary disruptions.
One of the biggest concerns is the narrowing of lanes caused by the barriers, which has made the already busy road more hazardous. Fliss raised the issue of inadequate signage, which he believes should be installed to alert drivers to the construction zone and lane reductions. Pein, who witnessed the dangers firsthand, warned that if the situation is not addressed, it could result in serious accidents.
Both Pein and Fliss have already experienced the consequences of the roadwork delays. Fliss, who was rear-ended near the bridge last year by another motorist, suffered significant damage to his car, amounting to over R20,000 in repair costs. He also noted a recent incident in which a truck collided with one of the concrete barriers, causing it to shift into the narrow lane, further exacerbating the danger.
With traffic congestion increasing and safety concerns mounting, community members are calling for urgent action from authorities to prioritize the completion of the roadworks and improve safety measures before something more serious occurs.
