Repairs to top dam finally start
After many, many years of delays the project to repair the top dam (just below Marks Park) in the Emmarentia park has started. The initial project also aimed to repair the middle dam but numerous delays have meant that the project is now smaller and not so ambitious and so less costly for the City.
Below is information from the contractor:
Top dam project
The project has been undergoing site establishment and the barricading of it is mainly to keep inline with the environmental safety measures for both workers and the community.
The rehabilitation process will be as follows:
- Site establishment: fencing site camp and office safety signage amongst other action.
- Desilting of upper dam: bathymetric survey, drainage of upper dam, removal of vegetation and trees, desilting of upper dam, shaping new banks and soil removal amongst other actions.
- Construction of slipway: Survey and peg points, clear and strip site and remove topsoil, excavation of existing unsustainable Matt, preparation of expose surface for gabion mattress, preparation of exposed surface amongst other action.
- Construction of new dam embankment: Survey and peg points, clear and strip and removal of topsoil, removal of vegetation and trees, bulk earthworks and excavations amongst other action)
- Construction of sandtrap: Demolition of existing bridge, construction of sand trap amongst other actions.
- Project closure: reinstating vegetation and grass, site cleaning up, removal of all fencing and barricades amongst other actions.
The timeline is 8 months and we will update the community at key points.
They have advised us of the following for park users (especially dog-owners)
🚧 Community Awareness Alert 🚧
📢 Attention Residents:
Please be informed that there is an ongoing construction zone in emmarentia’s top dam. To ensure everyone’s safety, especially our furry friends and fellow pedestrians, runners, and cyclists, we urge you to take note of the following guidelines:
🐾 Dog Owners:
Keep your dogs on leashes beyond the marked points.
Respect designated areas for construction and construction vehicles.
🏃♂🚴♀ Pedestrians, Runners, and Cyclists:
Exercise caution while navigating near construction zones.
Stay vigilant for heavy machinery and construction vehicles.
Follow designated paths and avoid restricted areas.
Your cooperation in adhering to these guidelines is vital for the well-being of our community members. Let’s ensure a safe environment for everyone.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Please spread the word to your neighbors and fellow community members.
Please CONTINUE to update
It’s now completely closed between 24 June – 6 July? Is this correct?
No the park is still open. The construction area is closed off but it’s still easy to walk in the area. If you have dogs, it’s a good idea to keep them on leads in the area where the construction is taking place.
ERA has received a lot of questions from residents concerned that the site office is locked and all equipment has been removed. We followed up with City Parks and Councillor Nicolene Jonker and received this response from City Parks via Cllr Nicolene:
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, awarded the JBG project in the previous financial year which has been rolled over to be completed before end October in the current financial year.
The project is at 70% completion and service providers are paid within 30 days of providing an invoice.
JCPZs Capex Team has been intervening in securing a payment based on work already concluded.
Confirmation has been received that payment to the contractor will be effected before 17 August.
This will enable the contractor to return on site and ensure the project is completed on time.
Residents are kindly advised, that where possible JCPZ ensures it assists, particularly small-scale enterprises with cashflow limitations, by structuring payments based on various milestones achieved. In this instance, due to the project rolling over into a new financial year, the new payment structure had to be approved.
The Capex Team at JCPZ is confident that the project will be concluded on time.
Enquiries in this regard can be directed to JCPZs Capex Office on 011 712 6600