Contractors ask residents to avoid Witkoppen Road

PAULSHOF - The year has started and Joburg's roads are busier than ever, which is why the contractors for the Witkoppen upgrade project are imploring Fourways residents to be patient.

January 13, 2015

Varushka Padayachi 1 minute read

PROGRESS: Some of the progress that has been made on the Witkoppen Road upgrade.

Last year ended with the project coming to a halt for the holidays and the promise that the work would be wrapped up early in the new year.

Last year, the project caused endless frustrations for residents who complained of the delays caused by the construction itself as well as the speed reduction methods that were later implemented after a tragic accident.

Phagama Civils and Maintenance, the contracting company working on the project, experienced the tragic loss of a labourer after a speeding truck knocked him over while he was working.

Working together with councillor for Ward 93, Annette Deppe, the contractors have asked that residents be patient while work is being completed. According to contractors, the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport (Gautrans) has instructed them to accelerate the works and try to finish the bulk of the project by no later than 28 February. Due to the new tighter schedule there will be a number of traffic accommodation challenges on Witkoppen Road.

“We are doing our level best to meet the deadline set by the client [Gautrans] and in doing so, our planning and execution of works will unfortunately effect the public in a heavy way,” Phagama said in a statement to the public.

To avoid unnecessary delays, Phagama has appealed to the public to try and use alternative routes where possible, unless residents work in the surrounds of the construction area.

“We humbly ask motorists to be patient with construction workers on the road and to please adhere to the signage shown,” Phagama’s statement read. “We would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused and hope for a positive response from the public.”