Burman Road reopens after rehabilitation

Burman Road has reopened to traffic following the completion of rehabilitation works by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, restoring an important transport link serving residents, workers and businesses in one of the metro’s key industrial areas.

The road was closed after a bulk sewer line beneath Burman Road collapsed, requiring repairs to the underground infrastructure before the road could be reinstated.

The municipality’s Water and Sanitation Department undertook the sewer repairs, after which the affected road layers were rebuilt and the road surface restored. Traffic management measures were also implemented at the N2 and Burman Road interchange during the construction period.

The road rehabilitation project, which commenced on 4 August 2026, was completed at a cost of R1.955 million.

Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe said the reopening would restore direct access to an industrial area that supports businesses, employment and the movement of goods and services.

“Decisive action to fix the metro means dealing with the infrastructure challenges that affect the daily lives of our residents and the ability of our economy to function. The reopening of Burman Road restores an important connection to an industrial area, improving access for residents, workers and businesses,” Lobishe said.

She said the project demonstrates the municipality’s commitment to strengthening infrastructure and improving connections between communities and economic centres.

“This is what our commitment to inclusive economic growth looks like in practice – fixing what needs to be fixed, strengthening the connections that keep our economy moving and ensuring that communities are connected to opportunity,” the mayor said.

The reopening restores an important route for employees, suppliers, service providers and commercial vehicles operating in the industrial and commercial area.

Lobishe said reliable infrastructure is essential to supporting economic activity, allowing people to reach places of work, businesses to operate efficiently and goods to move between communities, industrial areas and markets.

“The link between infrastructure and economic growth is direct. Reliable roads enable people to reach places of work, businesses to operate efficiently and goods to move between communities, industrial areas and markets,” Lobishe said.

The intervention forms part of the municipality’s broader infrastructure programme aimed at addressing critical infrastructure challenges, maintaining roads and municipal services, and improving the reliability of infrastructure used by residents and businesses.

While Burman Road is now open to motorists, minor snagging and finishing works remain, including road markings and other items identified during the final inspection. These works are expected to continue during the coming week, subject to suitable weather conditions and operational requirements.

Motorists have been urged to exercise caution, reduce speed and comply with temporary traffic measures while the remaining work is completed.

The R1.955 million cost relates specifically to the road rehabilitation and reinstatement works. The cost of repairing the bulk sewer network is separate and will be confirmed by the relevant municipal department.

The municipality said it remains focused on fixing and maintaining metro’s infrastructure, strengthening connections between communities and economic centres, and ensuring that municipal infrastructure supports inclusive economic growth. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Source: Original report at SAnews.gov.za.