The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has conducted a site inspection of the multimillion road rehabilitation and sinkhole repair project at the intersection of the N14/ R500, approximately 18km north of Merafong/Carltonville. The visit took place on 17 July 2012.
The R128 million rehabilitation project is aimed at repairing the sinkholes and rehabilitate approximately 14 kilometres of road along the N14. The construction period for this contract will last for 18 months after having started in January 2012.
KPMM/Globul/Civilcon JV was awarded the tender to undertake the project whilst the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) was appointed as the implementing agent by the department.
During the visit, contractors reported significant progress regarding the repairs to the sinkhole, with mass earthworks and pavement layers as having been largely completed. Work relating to the crushed stone base, asphalt surfacing and road signage and markings has started and is expected to be completed by July 2013.
MEC Vadi was “satisfied with progress made on the project” as the sinkholes have been attended to and that road rehabilitation work has commenced. He further added that the “quality of work done to date is deemed to be acceptable”. He also said it is in the interest of government to see where money is spent on. MEC said physical inspection is necessary and “stakeholders that government engage with must work together and ensure that we spend money successfully. MEC was pleased with the project which is in the farming community and said it means the department is bringing economic development in the rural areas.
Four years ago three sinkholes appeared close to the N14/R500 that led to the road closed for public use. At that stage, the road was the responsibility of the North West Provincial government. With changes to provincial boundaries and the re-inclusion of Merafong/Carltonville into Gauteng Province, the road was brought under the jurisdiction of the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport.
The N14 route is the main link between the West Rand and the North West Province and carries high volumes of traffic. The MEC promised that motorists would benefit from the upgraded road as it will cut travel times and is being built according to SANRAL specifications.
The local community has benefitted with 24 workers employed with artisans and subcontractors on site for the execution and completion of the work.
