Joburg motorists used to using Oxford Road will have to take alternative routes for the next two weeks as repairs get underway.

A section of Oxford was closed after the road caved in
(Photo: Coen Deacon)

A SECTION of one of the busiest arterial routes in Johannesburg, Oxford Road, has been closed after the road structure suddenly collapsed on Tuesday afternoon, 8 July.

The section of Oxford Road, between 8th Street and North Road, will be closed for a period of two weeks. Residents and businesses of Killarney, the suburb closest to the collapse, are requested to use Riviera Road and 11th Avenue as access roads.

Wayne Minnaar, Johannesburg Metro Police Department spokesperson, said the reason for the collapse will be investigated, but that it was very likely that Gautrain construction work going on in that area was the major cause.

According to Minnaar the hole measures about 12 by 8 metres and is filled with water, making it difficult to determine the depth.

The incident occurred during lunch hour, usually a busy time of day, but no accidents were reported.

"There were no injuries to persons or damage to cars," Minnaar confirmed.

The Johannesburg Roads Agency and Bombela Construction, the Gautrain construction company, will be repairing the road over the next two weeks.