The completion of the K46 road has been delayed yet again, according to the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport.
According to Theo Nkonki, the department spokesperson, while the construction tender did go ahead as planned in October of last year, there were some technical issues with the process which meant that the tender advertisement had to be re-issued again this year. Because the matter stalled in this way, construction that was planned to begin this month has to be delayed.
“We have advertised once again and are undergoing the process to award the project to a construction company. Advertising should take about two to three months, and then we will adjudicate in order to choose the best company to complete the work,” he explained.
ALSO READ: Councillor frustrated with mud pool on Cactus Road
The stretch of road, which runs from William Nicol Drive to the N14 highway near the Diepsloot area, has seen no end of problems since work began in 2015, as reported in the Fourways Review article K46 is still unfinished [Week ending 15 February 2019]. It was meant to be completed by construction company Lubbe Construction in September 2017, and the contract with that company to complete the work was extended twice before the GDRT decided to blacklist Lubbe and legislate against them.
Nkonki apologised to residents and motorists affected by the condition of the road for the inconvenience, and explained that while the process has again been delayed, the department has been meeting with the sub-contractors and labourers who worked on the project under Lubbe Construction but who had not yet been paid.
“We’ve had three meetings with these stakeholders [subcontractors] so far to address the fact that they are still owed, because we want to remedy this situation.”
The number publicly listed for Lubbe Construction no longer exists, and as such the Fourways Review could not reach the company for comment.
Related Article:
