UPDATE ON SINKHOLE REPAIR PROGRESS ON VOORTREKKER ROAD, ROBERTSON

Repair Work Successfully Completed
We are pleased to announce that the repair work at the intersection of Voortrekker Road and Reitz Street in Robertson was successfully completed on Friday, 15 August 2025.

This follows the sinkhole that occurred on 17 July 2025, caused by the collapse of an underground sewer pipeline.

Although Voortrekker Road is classified as a Provincial Road, Langeberg Municipality took prompt action to carry out and complete the necessary repairs within 20 days.

What Caused the Collapse?
An investigation conducted by WEC-Consult, in collaboration with Langeberg Municipality, confirmed that the sinkhole resulted from the gradual structural failure of an aging concrete sewer pipe beneath the road surface.

Key findings include:
- Aggressive sewer gases corroded the inner concrete lining of the reinforced pipe, exposing and eventually disintegrating the embedded steel reinforcement.
- This corrosion weakened the pipe’s structure, which ultimately collapsed under the weight of surrounding materials and traffic vibrations.
- The collapse allowed nearby sand to be drawn into the sewer system, creating a growing underground void.
- Over time, the void expanded until the road surface could no longer support traffic, resulting in the sudden formation of the sinkhole.

Repairs Now Fully Completed
We are proud to confirm that comprehensive repair work was completed on Friday, 15 August 2025, restoring full safety and functionality to the intersection.

Key actions taken:
- Replacement of the damaged pipe with a 6-meter Class 12 PVC pipe
- Installation of a new prefabricated concrete manhole
- Full road reconstruction to meet Provincial Road standards for long-term durability

Traffic flow has resumed, and the area is once again safe for all motorists and pedestrians.

Planning Ahead: Upgrading Remaining Infrastructure
The remaining portion of Voortrekker Road is still operating with an aging sewer pipeline, which poses a definite risk of future failures.

Current mitigation measures include:
- Frequent cleaning to minimise risk and optimise operation
- CCTV and gas detection monitoring for early signs of corrosion 

We are actively exploring options to re-line this section with corrosion-resistant materials such as PVC or HDPE. The existing pipeline will be inspected to determine the most appropriate re-lining method, with careful consideration to minimise disruptions to businesses and traffic in this busy area.

The timing of this improvement project is critical, as construction-related disruptions are expected. Execution of the re-lining also depends on budget availability and/or financial support from the Western Cape Province, given that this is a provincial road.

We thank the community for your understanding and cooperation throughout this repair process.
Your safety and the continued stability of our infrastructure remain our highest priorities.