Ferndale’s storm water upgrade project receives new contractor
The problems that occured during phase one of the Klein Jukskei Bond Stream Relief Project were resolved at the contractor's own cost.
A new contractor has been appointed for phase two of Ferndale’s storm water upgrade project, after there were many complaints of poor workmaship during phase one, which that contractor had to fix at his own cost.
This was revealed by Joburg Roads Agency spokesperson Kelebogile Mafa on May 17, a whole month after Randburg Sun sent her questions pertaining to these complaints, the Klein Jukskei Bond Stream Relief Project, as well as flooding in Ferndale that residents claim was exacerbated by the poor state of the storm water drain system.
Also read: Ferndale’s stormwater upgrade project could be a hit or miss
Also read: Stormwater drains blamed for major flooding in Ferndale
Ward 104 councillor Emi Koekemoer, however, said despite the many issues that occurred during phase one of the project it was necessary, and if anything, the flooding was alleviated by there being a slightly better storm water drain system than in previous years.
Issues that presented themselves during phase one included cracks in boundary walls, and part of Bond Street needing to be resurfaced after drains had already been upgraded. Koekemoer blamed the sinkhole that formed on the corner of Elgin Avenue and Bond Street on the storm water culvert for not being connected properly.
“The floods we had in March showed that we need new storm water drains though, as many were blocked at the time and contributed to the flooding of homes,” Koekemoer added. “So, while [Ward 102 councillor] David Potter and I told JRA we are not comfortable with the project going ahead, it is necessary.”
Mafa addressed the flooding. “The initial run-off pipes did not have the capacity to carry the increased volumes of water from the surrounding areas into the streams,” she said. The project aims to mitigate the risk of this happening again.
“Failure to adhere to the project specification is a breach of contract which results in non-payment from the JRA. In the event where damages or defects on the JRA’s road and related infrastructure occur as a result of the contractor’s work, the contractor is obligated to carry out the necessary repairs at their own cost. Defects incurred in phase one of this project were repaired by the contractor.”
The details of phase three will be communicated as the project progresses, Mafa concluded.
