New collapse threatens R40m Klipkopjes Dam road repairs

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15-01-2026
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Lowvelder
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Sanrals responds to public speculation about substandard roadworks on the R40 near Klipkopjes Dam.

The newly resurfaced section of the R40, near Klipkopjes Dam, reported by Sanral to be 90% complete, is now facing another major setback.

The road, that was recently fully reopened to traffic after months of construction and traffic delays, appears to be crumbling at the edges. People on social media have accused the contractor of sloppy workmanship.

The marketing and communications co-ordinator for Sanral, Lerato Moloi, said the damage was caused by higher than usual rainfall received between November 2025 and January 2026.

“As a result, and given that the repairs were not yet completed, the slope settled. All work is executed according to the approved designs. There is no evidence to suggest that it is substandard. Sanral has quality control measures in place on all its projects, and the contractor always works under the supervision of qualified engineers on site,” she said.

Moloi also said the failure is not caused by the use of incorrect materials, adding that all work was duly inspected and certified by the engineers. “Nothing links the failure to substandard work by the contractor at this stage. Once the work is completed, the slope will be stable,” she said.

The reconstruction of the road, funded by Sanral, was initiated in January 2025 to repair a sinkhole caused by severe flooding that occurred in February 2023.

The original completion date of October 2025 was missed due to several complications, including the discovery of massive rock formations that required removal, slowing excavation.

Additionally, work was reportedly halted when personnel and equipment were diverted from the site to prioritise the completion of repairs to the ageing Da Gama Bridge.

For most of last year, commuters between White River and Hazyview were forced to navigate three stop-and-go sections. After many delays, the road was fully opened for the 2025 festive season, providing much-anticipated relief for holiday travelers.

That progress has proven short-lived. Despite the recent works, the integrity of the road is once again failing.

The new collapse has forced Sanral to revert to the construction detour used earlier in the course of the project. The road is collapsing again and has been closed to traffic.