- The City of Milnerton’s Water and Sanitation Directorate, in collaboration with Road Infrastructure Management Services (RIMS), successfully completed the rehabilitation of Montague Drive following the repair of 12 consecutive sinkholes caused by sewer collapses.
- The project, budgeted at approximately R2.5 million for the reinstatement phase, faced delays but ultimately reopened the road to traffic on 18 June.
- Plans are underway for a new R470 million sewer pipeline project to prevent future issues.
With the repair of its 12th sinkhole the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate successfully completed the road rehabilitation of Montague Drive in Milnerton earlier last week.
This was a joint effort with Road Infrastructure Management Services (RIMS) following the repair of 12 consecutive sewer collapses in January.
The City says all final tasks were completed on Tuesday 18 June. The road has been fully rehabilitated and opened for traffic.
READ | Light at the end of pipeline as City of Cape Town finally repair major sewer collapses in Milnerton
The City budgeted approximately R2,5 million for the reinstatement phase of this major/multiple repair.
TygerBurger reported on the issue since August 2023 of the collapses occurring successively and at multiple points in the 50-year-old 900 mm fibre cement bulk-sewer pipeline, which runs underground at a depth of 5 metres.
The City then appointed a contractor to assist with emergency repairs to the sewer, which were completed in January 2024. Road reinstatement was the last phase needed to call the project to a close.
Delays
The City says there were numerous delays, among which the need for a specialist road contractor. This was a joint intervention between Road Infrastructure Management Services (RIMS) and Water and Sanitation.
The City is currently constructing an entirely new Montague bulk sewer pipeline to be completed by 2025. The current phase of this major project is valued at R470 million.
This complex project entails the construction of a new bulk sewer in Montague Gardens using innovative micro-tunnelling technology. The City will also extend and connect the Edgemead and Century City bulk sewers into the new infrastructure. Once the nearly 4 km of new bulk sewer is built by early 2025 the City will divert sewage along this new line while it rehabilitates the existing bulk sewer in Montague Drive, Montague Garden.
Road rehabilitation
The City said it aimed to ensure that the road is rehabilitated to Roads Infrastructure Management (Rims) standards and specifications, with works totalling about 780 m².
“I am pleased that reinstatement [of the road] has finally started and is also earlier than anticipated following the tireless efforts of our team to see the project to its completion,” said Zahid Badroodien, Mayco Member for Water and Sanitation.
READ | Sewer repairs in Montague Gardens fast-tracked by City of Cape Town
The Water and Sanitation Directorate said it is especially proud to have completed this project, which has been a source of much inconvenience to businesses and residents.
“We thank residents for their patience during the repairs and working with the City and our staff to complete the project for the benefit of residents and businesses,” Badroodien told TygerBurger.
