R510 CRACK NEAR AMANDELBULT UNDER DAILY WATCH
A long crack runs alongside the concrete barriers on the R510 near Amandelbult Mine, outside Northam.
Platinum Bushvelder newspaper | Northam – Motorists using the R510 near Amandelbult Mine should stick to the posted 40 km/h speed limit and expect stop-and-go traffic control while crews stabilise a cracked section of the road.
The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) says the affected lane remains open and is currently safe to use.
The crack, first reported on Friday, 6 November 2026, runs along the road surface next to the concrete barriers. In response to questions from Platinum Bushvelder,
SANRAL said its maintenance route manager is monitoring the crack daily.
SANRAL identified the damage as slip cracking. The agency attributed it to pressure from truck tyres and the weight of the concrete barriers, combined with movement in the road surface next to an excavation that left the road edge unsupported.
Temporary work was set to begin on Wednesday, 11 November. Crews will place gravel behind the barriers across a three-metre-wide strip to support the road edge. The maintenance contractor will also seal the cracks with bitumen-treated fabric to help keep water out. SANRAL said the 40 km/h speed limit was already in place before the crack appeared. The agency urged drivers to slow down on approach, follow the posted signs and be patient during stop-and-go operations.
Construction to complete the road project, which has been unfinished since 2024, is scheduled to continue on Monday, 11 January 2027. The permanent repair is expected to form part of that work. SANRAL anticipates further closures once construction starts and says it will advise the public if additional restrictions are needed.
