Heavy vehicles are now permitted to make use of the R31 Road in the vicinity of Wildebeest Kuil Rock Art Centre and Platfontein outside Kimberley.
In a media statement earlier this week, Crystal Robertson, spokesperson of the Northern Cape Department of Roads and Public Works, said the department made considerable progress with the elevation of a section of the R31 in this vicinity.
“We completed the layer-works of the northern lane and the department moved the traffic from the emergency gravel lane onto the new tarred lane,” she stated.
Robertson said the department is satisfied with the progress on site and that heavy vehicles are now permitted to pass through the stop and go traffic control system on this section of the road.
“Construction is ongoing and we remind motorists and truck drivers to please adhere to the instructions of the stop and go officers and the flagmen on site.
“We caution motorists not to speed when passing through the stop and go traffic control system which is approximately 1,5 km long, and to adhere to the speed limit of 40 km per hour.
“We erected speedbumps that will assist with speed control. The estimated waiting period is approximately 20 minutes.
“We rely on everyone’s cooperation to ensure the safety of workers and motorists,” Robertson commented.
Road-opening “premature”
On the Facebook page of the department, members of the public expressed mixed feelings on this decision.
Most comments indicated that the decision to open the lane for heavy vehicles is “premature” as the newly fixed part will be damaged; and that the heavy vehicles will result in long queues of traffic on this part of the road.
While the road was still closed to heavy vehicles, a detour via Windsorton had to be taken.
Several pleas where also posted to fix the road between Koopsmansfontein and Daniëlskuil; as well as the “death trap” between Petrusville and Jacobsdal.
One wrote: “Honestly MEC Fufe Makatong, our cars cannot last between Koopmans and Daniëlskuil. That road is in a horrible condition and the trucks makes it even worst.”
Source of problem not tackled
This natural pan of water at Platfontein started to increase in size since 2002 due to leaking water pipes and faulty sewage pump stations of the Sol Plaatje Municipality.
The constant leaking of fresh water and sewage into the pan lead to a massive pan – some says covering an area of approximately 800 hectares. This part of the road is surrounded by water, and before the recent construction work commenced, the water level was only centimeters away from the road service. Previously several vehicles ended up in the water, including a truck.
The water surrounding the road is posing a threat to its infrastructure, with a collapse of the road feared. Before the temporarily closing of the road, a heavily loaded truck went past the spot nearly every 30 seconds.
In April 2021 the DA appealed to the Green Scorpions to intervene, and the EFF named it “Lake Zamani” after the premier of the Northern Cape, Dr Zamani Saul.
The department’s plan to lift the road surface with 1,5 m was met with disbelief by many, as the source of the initial problem is still not tackled.
