Tuesday 30 October 2012

Eastern Cape: More rain sees R72 closed off again


EASTERN Cape disaster management yesterday announced that the R72 coastal route between Port Alfred and Kenton-On-Sea has again been closed off to all forms of traffic.

This comes after heavy rains caused severe flood damage to provincial roads over the past two weeks.

Provincial disaster management spokesman Captain John Fobian said the R72, which was initially closed to all vehicles and then reopened to light motor vehicles last week, has again been closed to all vehicles due to the “sagging of the road”.

“Unfortunately the rain has handed us a bad blow,” said Fobian.

The R72 first faced closure last week Monday when it was discovered the bridge over the Kasouga River was on the verge of collapsing.

This section of the road, between Port Alfred and Kenton-on-Sea, was then closed to heavy vehicles. After rains again last week and at the weekend, the condition of the road deteriorated.

Motorists could use the route from Port Alfred through Bathurst, Salem, Grahamstown and back to Kenton-On-Sea, or through Alexandria, Kenton-On-Sea, Salem and then Grahamstown.

The road would take an estimated two to three days to be repaired.

— shanaazp@dispatch.co.za

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