According to Clr Stefanie Kruger (Ward 24), the construction of the road will continue into the foreseeable future, after Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) dismissed the initial contractor.
Kruger said the contractor had been mandated to finish by December 31, but failed to complete the project on time.
She criticised the EMM for the move, saying too much time would be wasted by the restart.
“Now that there is approximately only a further 200m to complete it seems ludicrous to stop the contract and go through the tender process again, as this will take far longer than allowing the original contractor to complete the job,” said Kruger.
She added that council should have had more oversight into the project, to ensure that it stayed within the projected timeframe and budget.
Kruger plans to ask EMM why the project was cancelled so close to its completion and how many additional costs are expected with the repeat of the tender and construction processes.
She explained that the roads department had assured her that a new contractor would be appointed by the end of January and that Pretoria Road would be kept open for motorists in the meantime.
Clr Gerrie Kriek (Ward 27) said the work done on Pretoria Road within his ward had been completed on time, at the start of December.
He said only the curb had to be finished off; work which was being done by subcontractors.
EMM was approached for comment, but none had been received at the time of publishing.
The EMM did not comment at the time of publishing.
