According to Clr Stefanie Kruger (Ward 24), the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) dismissed the initial contractor working on the road, as construction had not been finished by the deadline on December 31.
“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 time frame and budget.
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.
Some of the local residents voiced their opinions regarding the arterial road.
Herbert Trokis expressed his concern about the effect of the halted construction on traffic and cars.
“You risk damaging your car’s suspension when you take this dirt road, which is poison to cars,” he said.
“When traffic backs up in the mornings, no one considers the traffic rules, it’s like red or green means nothing to most people.
Trokis added that he takes a detour of almost 3km to avoid the unfinished stretch of Pretoria Road.
“It [Pretoria Road] is in absolute shambles, no one has come back to work on it,” said Leslie Stephens, a Rynpark Two resident.
“It’s impossible to cross the intersection sometimes, just to go to the shops.”
Kabelo Mahonko, a Crystal Park resident, said the unfinished work on Pretoria Road has become a nightmare for parents taking their children to school.
“We end up getting our kids to school late, because traffic is so bad there, especially in the mornings,” he explained.
“It’s supposed to have been upgraded, but it’s worse now.”
On the other side of the coin, Marc Sweeck, owner of La Coupe Hair Design, in Pretoria Road, said the road works are a perfect opportunity for the municipality to install extra storm water drains.
Sweeck explained that his business floods during heavy storms, as the only drain to divert water from his address collapsed recently.
Themba Gadebe, EMM spokesperson, tried to get comment throughout the week, but cited a change in the department’s personnel structure as a reason for the delay.
Read more here.
You may also be interested in:
UPDATE: Some power expected back by Saturday
