IDP Draft Budget public consultations continue in eThekwini

THE final leg of the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) public consultations kicked off in Wentworth over the weekend. Local residents and community leaders from wards 64, 66 and 68 attended. The aim of the IPD draft budget hearings is to get the views of the public on the proposed R67.3 billion budget for the 2024/25 financial year.

Also read: Coedmore Bridge rebuild expected in 2024

Meanwhile, eThekwini mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda assured residents that the construction of the state-of-the-art Coedmore Bridge and rehabilitation of Coedmore Road in Yellowwood Park is expected to be completed later in November this year.

This emerged over the weekend during the eThekwini mayor’s visit to the bridge to assess progress made. The 90m-long and two-lane-wide bridge with pedestrian walkways will cost R48 million to complete.

The bridge was completely damaged during the 2022 floods, and motorists have had to take alternative routes to get to their destinations, resulting in them spending more than 45 minutes on additional driving time.

The rehabilitation of Coedmore Road and the construction of the Coedmore Bridge in Yellowwood Park are progressing well and remain on schedule.

The bridge is being rebuilt using funds from the Municipal Disaster Response Grant allocated by the National Treasury.

eThekwini mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda visited the construction site on April 13 to inspect the rebuilding of the bridge.

“We are constructing a new 90m-long, two-lane bridge with pedestrian walkways using cutting-edge integral bridge technology to reduce maintenance costs. The project, with a budget of R48 million, also includes the construction of a 150m road leading to the bridge, implementation of traffic calming measures and installation of improved surface drainage systems,” said Kaunda.

The project will benefit residents in wards 64, 66 and 68.

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