Polokwane Municipality intends to spend R111 million on the rehabilitation of streets in the city including extensions in Seshego. The main reason for the work is to renew the city’s assets that have reached the end of its design lifespan.
Matshidiso Mothapo, Communications and Marketing Manager of Polokwane Municipality, confirmed that the money will be spent during the 2017/18 and 2018/19 financial years. “The remainder of the backlog on rehabilitation of streets will be dealt with in two financial years and will be followed by a concession programme. This concession will mostly focus on the city and the surrounding suburbs but will be extended to Seshego once the city is completed. The municipality has as yet spent approximately R15,5 million of the funds on rehabilitation of the streets in the city and surrounding suburbs,” Mothapo reported.
According to Mothapo, the projects that were completed are the rehabilitation of Outspan Drive between De Wet and Veldspaat streets, a project that started in April 2017 and that was completed in July 2017 and the rehabilitation of Blaauwberg Street between Fluoorspaat and Bulawayo streets that started in May 2017 and that was completed in September 2017.
The rehabilitation of Magazyn Street between Suid and Hospital streets started in May 2017 and is planned to be completed in November 2017. The rehabilitation of Thabo Mbeki Street between the Nelson Mandela Traffic Circle and Schoeman Street started in August 2017 and is scheduled to be completed in December 2017, while the rehabilitation of Plein Street between Suid and Hospital streets started in June 2017 and should be completed by January 2018. “The rehabilitation project of Erasmus Street between De Wet Drive and Maroela Street started in May 2017 and is planned to be completed this month,” Mothapo said.
Following numerous complaints received from the public, Mothapo said that the municipality is aware and sensitive to the challenges faced by the public and businesspeople of the city. “All of these projects will impact significantly not only on the aesthetic appearance and the lives of our residents, but also on the economic activity of our city. The economy needs reliable infrastructure to connect supply chains and efficiently move goods and services across. Infrastructure also connects households across to higher quality opportunities for employment, healthcare and education,” Mothapo explained.
Mothapo added that, during this period the municipality requests all motorists, business people and the general public to be patient with all the construction sites. “Motorists are also requested to adhere to all road signs within construction sites and are further requested to use alternative roads where possible to avoid delays,” Mothapo said.
Mothapo concluded by saying that the municipality is also improving on its planning to ensure that the public is not adversely affected by this construction. “The face-lifting of any city comes with temporary inconveniences that result in everlasting benefits for all. Let us continue to build our city together,” Mothapo concluded.
Story & photos: BARRY VILJOEN
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