Motorists are reminded that sections of Oxford Road will remain closed while work continues on the Gautrain development. Alternative routes have been put in place.

TEMPORARY road diversions will be put in place along one of Johannesburg's main arterials, Oxford Road, until tunnelling for the Gautrain project has been completed.

A portion of the route, between Riveria and 11th roads, was closed on Tuesday 8 July when the road collapsed, creating a 12m hold. Motorists were then diverted through the surrounding suburbs.

Work is currently underway in the suburb on several aspects of the Gautrain Rapid Rail Link project, including on the Rosebank Station and underground tunnels.

The precautions are being taken by Bombela, the consortium responsible for the Gautrain construction work, in consultation with the Johannesburg Roads Agency, as the condition of underground infrastructure such as water and electrical pipelines is unknown, according to Bombela spokesperson Kelebogile Machaka.

Investigations carried out by Bombela after the road collapsed revealed that water seepage from the utilities above the tunnel alignment had led to the weakening of the soil being excavated, causing ground loss directly above the Tunnel Boring Machine.

Work is currently underway to repair the road, and tunnelling has resumed along Oxford Road.

"As a further precautionary measure Bombela and Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) will implement sequential road closures at Oxford Road until the tunnelling works have been completed along Oxford Road," Machaka added.

The road diversions will affect both the northbound and southbound lanes. The diversions will be carried out in three phases, with the first phase affecting the portion of Oxford Road between North Road and 8th Avenue.

This first phase is expected to last until early August.

Details of the further two phases up to Riveria Road will be communicated to the public in due course.

"To avoid traffic congestion during the temporary diversions, Bombela appeals to motorists to use the diversions only when specifically travelling to destinations within the immediate area, such as schools and places of business.

"Motorists are encouraged to use the M1 north and south as well as Jan Smuts Avenue as alternate routes," Machaka said.

Further information can be obtained from the Gautrain website or from Gautrain toll free number 0800 428 87246.

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