One of the busiest roads on the Cape Flats is back to full operation after a section collapsed just over two months ago.
Spine Road, which runs through Khayelitsha, Kuils River and Mitchells Plain, was officially opened by MEC of Infrastructure Tertius Simmers, on Tuesday after it underwent repairs valued at R2.4 million.
Heavy rains in June caused the section between the N2 highway and Faure road to collapse, forcing users to find alternative routes.
Simmers said repair works began on June 18, three days after the collapse, and were concluded six weeks later.
"Based on traffic counts, the traffic on Spine Road during the morning peak hour is 1 337 vehicles/hour.
“That is a lot of people to be left inconvenienced by a road closure.
“It is for this reason why the team put in a concerted effort that resulted in this road being repaired and rebuilt within a record time of six weeks,” said Simmers.
The project involved repairs to telecommunication cables and ducts, construction of new road pavement layer, installation of rip-rap (loose stone used to form a foundation) to help mitigate future erosion and reinstatement of guardrails.
Simmers described Spine Road as an “important piece in the Western Cape’s socio-economic puzzle”, providing solutions and access for many.
Simmers said the road also helped communities access economic opportunities in the Blackheath Industrial area
“I commend the team that was tasked with the restoration of this road.
“There was no wasteful expenditure, no procrastination and above all ensured a timeously delivery of this project whilst finding innovative ways of combating a repeat in the future.
“Therefore, finding sustainable solutions to better and safeguard the lives of the users of this road,” said Simmers.