Update on the progress of Lydenburg’s Viljoen Street
The contractor, Obee and Family, said it is satisfied with the progress being made on the Viljoen Street project.
Roadworks under the Viljoen Street project in Lydenburg are still running in the expected time frame, and the contractors are satisfied with the progress.
The upgrades are being funded by the Anglo American Platinum, which appointed Obee and Family Holdings, a local contractor, to reconstruct the road’s pavement for the Thaba Chweu Local Municipality (TCLM).
The reconstruction forms part of the Der-Brochen Mine’s Social and Labour Plan’s contribution to the neighbouring communities.
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Steelburger/Lydenburg News recently caught up with the contractor to find out what has been achieved during the upgrades and what still needs to be done in order to complete the project. Aubrey Malepe and Romeo Morethe of Obee and Family said they are satisfied with the progress being made on-site.
According to a statement by the firm issued to the paper, the contractors have started with the layerworks on the northbound carriageway and identified all the buried services that have been relocated.
The statement also said some challenges have been experienced during the groundwork, which include unknown services that had not been registered with the municipality, a high volume of heavy trucks passing through town, speeding motorists not obeying the traffic safety rules and the vandalism and stealing of safety materials and signage used to prevent accidents.
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The company said the project’s scope regarding the storm water management was found to be inadequate and is being upgraded to prevent waterlogging the reconstructed road. Another setback occurred when backfill materials for the layerworks were is in short supply, and in competition with other projects in the region.
According to Obee and Family, the co-operation and patience of those directly impacted is highly appreciated.
“We shall improve our communication regarding the schedules to facilitate the rearrangement of your affairs. We are also requesting the community to continue to supply their input as to the best way to improve communication between the contractor and residents. The community is requested to participate in ensuring that no one is allowed to come and vandalise the project that is meant to improve our road. We need your assistance and support in minimising theft and vandalism.”
The road construction project is set to be completed by November 30.
