Department takes over supervision of Vereeniging Intermodal Facility project
Following delays in completing the Vereeniging Intermodal Facility, the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has enlisted the services of newly-appointed departmental engineers to take over the supervision of the project.
This announcement was made by the Head of Department, Mr Ronald Swartz, during the Portfolio Committee on Roads and Transport briefing held at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.
Furthermore, the Department has also resolved to utilise internal maintenance teams to complete the project.
It is envisaged that the project will be completed this year, subject to funding approval from the Provincial Treasury.
The initial contract was delayed due to unforeseen dolomitic conditions resulting in modification of designs, several walk-outs due to contractual disputes with PRASA and work stoppages by labour and community groupings. Also, the appointed contractor has been placed under provisional liquidation by the courts.
The intermodal facility upgrading project – in partnership with Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), Sedibeng District Municipality, Emfuleni Local Municipality -started in 2014 and was initially planned to be completed within 12 months.
The contractor (Moreteng Investments (Pty) Ltd failed to complete work within agreed timeframe due to reported insolvency. The contract between the Department and Moreteng was eventually terminated in 2018.
