Bad news for motorists is that the abandoned roadworks on the N2 between Ballito and Stanger will not be completed any time soon.
Three and a half years after the N2 was narrowed to a single lane at the Umhlali River and the Umvoti River for upgrades, the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) has admitted that the contract to re-tender the entire project has yet to be finalised.
Work originally began in February 2016 but construction stopped when the main contractor, Nyoni Projects, was put in liquidation after having been paid R15,5 million by SANRAL.
Also read: N2 roadworks: Road to nowhere, says DA
According to Eastern Region project manager Ridhwaan Mohamed, SANRAL was in the process of finalising the tender document and were hoping to have a contractor on site by August.
“The incomplete roadworks on the N2 between Ballito and Stanger has been an unfortunate case and it was never SANRAL’s intention for this work to be delayed for such a prolonged period,” said Mohamed.
While the state-owned national roads agency has been upfront about the regulatory difficulties experienced in the re-issuing of the contract, it has laid the blame entirely at the door of the national treasury.
“We encountered many challenges along the way with national treasury in terms of appointing a new contractor as well as to ensuring continuity regarding supervision.
“There has also been the issue around sub-contracting of works which has delayed all projects by SANRAL.”
“We are looking at a construction duration of approximately eight to 10 months. Due to the long delay we are looking into having day and night work as well.”
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