Marine Drive rehab to start soon
The contractor is now busy with site establishment as well as preparing the tender documentation for the Contract Participation Goals (CPG) to tender for their portions of the works.
The multi-million rand rehabilitation project of Marine Drive (P395) between Port Shepstone and Ramsgate launched recently by the MEC of the KZN Department of Transport, Sipho Hlomuka is expected to start soon.
However, since the sod turning ceremony over a month ago and the announcement of the contractor Raubex Construction (Pty) Ltd, residents feel they have been left in the dark on the status of the project.
According to Raubex, certain contractual obligations need to be in place prior to the commencement of work.
A director at Raubex, Gary Catin said these obligations have been addressed and the contractor is now busy with site establishment, as well as preparing the tender documentation for the Contract Participation Goals (CPG), to tender for their portions of the works.
Catin said the community can rest assured. “Work will be commencing shortly,” he confirmed.
Ward 2 councillor, Alan Bosch has also confirmed that the project will be commencing soon, as promised by Raubex.
“I have been in contact with project management from Raubex and the future co-operation looks most positive as the project unfolds. The short-term safety concerns in Ramsgate cannot be laid at the door of the contractor who has indicated a willingness to assist once they have established their sites and equipment,” said Bosch.
He said it is apparent that the Department of Transport (DoT) has abandoned their responsibilities for the maintenance of the road in Ramsgate since a contractor was appointed.
“Given that the rehabilitation project has a planned duration of 30 months and we do not as yet know exactly where and when the contractor will commence, it is in my opinion irresponsible of the DoT to ignore the dangerous state of the road at present.
“I hope that at least some remedial work will be done to mitigate the obvious danger to the community and tourists,” Bosch concluded.
The Herald asked DoT for comment on the project and the current state of the road, however after trails of emails and calls, none had been received at the time of going to press.
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