MOTORISTS have been warned to stay away from the R500 road near Carletonville, Gauteng.
This after a terrifying sinkhole swallowed most of the road, leaving the busy route on the brink of total collapse.
The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport said that preliminary assessments indicate more than 80% of the road surface has collapsed, making it unsafe for motorists.
According to the department, the affected stretch, located in the West Rand district municipality, has been closed while engineers and technical teams are dispatched to assess the full extent of the damage.
"The collapse poses a serious risk to road users, and safety remains our top priority," the department said.
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Motorists have been urged to use alternative routes, obey all road closure signs and exercise extreme caution when travelling in and around the area.
Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela has called for heightened vigilance.
"We urge all road users to avoid the R500 Road near the sinkhole site. The collapse poses a serious risk, and the priority is the safety of motorists as they continue to assess the full extent of the damage.
"We ask the public to cooperate fully with authorities and make use of alternative routes until further notice," the MEC said.
The department said the situation is being closely monitored and that updates will be issued as more information becomes available.
