Motorists have welcomed the reopening of the R31 road between Danielskuil and Middelpos after repairs were completed earlier this week.
MOTORISTS have welcomed the reopening of the R31 road between Danielskuil and Middelpos after repairs were completed earlier this week.
This is after road users had to endure a tough time over the past four weeks when that section of the R31 was closed due to flooding on March 28, while the Northern Cape Department of Roads and Public Works later undertook repair work on the road.
The department announced on Monday evening that it had successfully repaired the damaged section of the road.
It is only the blasting of rocks in the road reserve that needs to be done in order to release water from the pan to the nearest stream. That can only be done once Telkom approves of the blasting.
Department spokesperson Crystal Robertson said they needed approval from Telkom as the rock blasting area is in close proximity to telephone lines.
“The blasting area is not on the critical path in terms of the use of the road,” said Robertson.
Motorists had to use detour roads recommended by the department after repairs started on the road.
Road users complained that the detour gravel roads were delaying their travelling time and were in a poor state.
Many motorists breathed a sigh of relief when the road was reopened before the Easter weekend.
The department has instituted a stop-and-go traffic control system, which means that motorists should allow for extra travelling time.
Some road users have, however, raised concerns about the influx of trucks on the road.
Several motorists also said that the “unevenness” of the repaired part of the road poses a danger to drivers.
“You drive on a pothole-filled road, then the new part for less than a kilometre, before dropping to the old road. It will be dangerous in the dark,” said one motorist.
Another motorist expressed concern that she does not “trust” that section of the road because it is only gravel and not tarred.
