Attention, motorists: a massive sinkhole along the R500 in the Gauteng town of Carletonville has collapsed considerably.
According to the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport, the sinkhole – one of many that plagues the province – led to the cave-in of over 80% of the road in the West Rand District Municipality.
R500 ROAD SINKHOLE MAKES ROUTE ‘EXTREMELY UNSAFE’
The department elaborated on the affected section in Carletonville, as per TimesLIVE:
The affected section has been closed off while technical teams are being dispatched to conduct a full safety evaluation.
Preliminary assessments indicate more than 80% of the road surface has caved in, making the route extremely unsafe.
MOTORISTS URGED TO AVOID THIS ROAD
Until this safety evaluation is complete and a solution is found, motorists are urged to refrain from using this road until further notice.
In the interim, they are advised to make use of alternative routes, obey road closure signs and adhere to instructions from traffic officers. What’s more, they must drive with extreme caution if they are travelling in the vicinity of the affected road.
Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, the Gauteng MEC for the Department of Roads and Transport, echoed these sentiments:
We urge all road users to avoid the R500 Road near the sinkhole site. The collapse poses a serious risk. The priority is the safety of motorists while authorities assess the full extent of the damage.
WHAT CAUSES THESE SINKHOLES?
Sinkholes are a common sight on the roads of Gauteng. Nevertheless, it doesn’t make them any less scary.
Over a quarter of the land in the province is underlain by dolomitic rock. Heavy rains, irrigation and traffic conditions are among the major factors that erode the underlying rock, leading to the formation of these sinkholes.
Have you ever encountered a sinkhole in Gauteng or somewhere outside the province? Be sure to sound off in the comments below!
