Mayor Mako pushes for lasting fix at busy Three Rivers intersection
Emfuleni Executive Mayor Hassan Mako has called for a long-term engineering solution to the deteriorating Duma Nokwe Road and Klipriver Drive intersection in Three Rivers, saying the busy road cannot continue to receive short-term repairs.
Mako conducted an oversight visit to the intersection on Saturday to assess progress on its rehabilitation after previous repair work deteriorated.
The mayor said the intersection, which carries significant traffic including heavy vehicles, required more than routine road maintenance.
“Every rand invested in road infrastructure must translate into infrastructure that performs, withstands traffic loading and delivers value over an extended service life,” the municipality said.
Following a technical assessment, municipal engineers opted against conventional asphalt on critical sections and instead selected an 80mm-thick interlocking concrete paving system.
The municipality said the choice was informed by the heavy and repetitive traffic loads at the intersection, as well as challenging environmental and drainage conditions.
The interlocking paving is designed to distribute traffic loads through interconnected paving units and the underlying pavement layers. It is also expected to provide a hard-wearing surface capable of withstanding vehicle movements and turning forces.
The rehabilitation is also addressing stormwater infrastructure, which has been identified as a contributing factor to the deterioration.
Collapsed sections of stormwater pipes are being replaced with larger-capacity pipes to improve drainage and prevent water from weakening the road structure.
The municipality said improved drainage was critical to extending the life of the rehabilitated road because water accumulation and penetration into pavement layers can accelerate deterioration under repeated traffic loading.
Another advantage of the paving system is that damaged sections can be removed and replaced individually, reducing the need for extensive future reconstruction and potentially allowing traffic to be restored more quickly.
Mako expressed satisfaction with the standard and quality of work under way but directed officials to also repair the high-mast streetlight serving the intersection.
The mayor said the objective was to deliver infrastructure that was not only structurally sound, but functional and safe for residents and motorists.
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