The SA National Roads Agency closed the left lane on the N1 South just before Botha Avenue in Centurion as a precaution after a sinkhole formed over the weekend.
According to Sanral, it is possible that the recent heavy rains in Gauteng led to the formation of the sinkhole.
Sanral added that its team of engineers and routine road maintenance contractors were assessing the situation to develop and implement a mitigation plan.
“We have also called in the expertise of geotechnical specialists to assist with the assessment,” said Progress Hlahla, Sanral northern region manager.
Meanwhile, spokesperson for the Tshwane Metro Police Isaac Mahamba said traffic flow has been affected by the lane closure but they are monitoring the situation and expect the road to be open soon.
Centurion is heavily maligned for its terrible ability to manage rainfall. More often than not, the city finds itself underwater during any decent storm, with low-lying bridges and busy commuter routes flooding at frequent intervals throughout the year.
The cause has not been helped by the large presence of dolomite in the ground here. When it gets soaked through, the earth begins to crack and break up, which causes sinkholes to appear.
Sources: MSN, Times LIVE
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