The Johannesburg Roads Agency has examined the extent of the damage to the M1 bridge and confirmed that workers are safe to conduct repairs.
This is after a fire broke out underground on the M1 near Smit Street and the double-decker section between Braamfontein substation and Fordsburg substation in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
According to the Johannesburg Emergency Medical Services, a preliminary investigation has attributed the fire to cable theft and infrastructure vandalism.
On Friday, City Power reported that, while there is a green light to conduct repairs to the damaged area, work on restoring power supply cannot resume due to safety concerns.
More evaluations are to be conducted
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said the damage to the electricity infrastructure that extends into the tunnels requires additional evaluations to be performed, including gas-level examinations.
“The team from the Johannesburg emergency services has also embarked on a process of clearing the residual smoke and other gaseous toxins underneath the tunnels and providing clean air ventilation to allow our teams to commence with their work,” Mangena said.
“That work will involve removing the rubble, clearing the oil spill, and draining excess water.
The Johannesburg Water has also been called to assist in draining out water from the tunnels.”
After clearing away the oil, debris, and other toxins, he stated that the team will go underground to evaluate the extent of the damage the fire caused to the electricity infrastructure.
“The outcome will determine the scope of work and the estimated time of completion of repairs.”
Power supply restored to parts of Braamfontein
Mangena said City Power has tried to utilise alternative options to restore power supply to the affected customers by means of back-feeding through the Fort and Bree substations.
However, the utility has managed to restore supply to Metro Centre, Liberty Life, Braampark, Wits University, and other office buildings in Braamfontein.
“The utility will continue to communicate developments on site to the affected customers in Braamfontein, parts of the CBD [central business district], Newtown, Parktown, and surrounds,” he said.
