Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi, today conducted a site inspection of the damaged culvert (drain) on Witkoppen Road (R564) and to meet with the newly-appointed contractor to emphasise the necessity of completing the repair work on schedule and within budget.
Vadi also announced new plans valued at R52 million for the rehabilitation and widening of a further section of Witkoppen Road.
The existing culvert on Witkoppen Road was extensively damaged about a year ago due to excessive water flows into the road drainage system. Consequently, the single lane across the damaged portion of the road posed a hazard to users and led to extensive traffic congestion and frustration among motorists.
Vadi said that after a professional assessment was made of the extent of damages to the road, the Department awarded a R7.6 million contract to Magic Labour Hire and Security Services to repair the damaged drainage system.
The site was officially handed over to the contractor on 7 April 2014 and the construction period for the project is four months.
We are mindful of the inconvenience caused to motorists and the road safety hazards the collapse has posed during this period. Thankfully, no major incident has been reported and we express our sincere gratitude to motorists for their patience, particularly during peak hours said Vadi.
The repair work entails the slight widening of the road formation; the demolition of the existing damaged culvert; the construction of a new culvert, and the reinstating of the pavement structure.
Further rehabilitation of Witkoppen Road
Vadi also announced that a further 3km stretch on Witkoppen Road - from Main Road towards Rivonia Road – is to be rehabilitated. This will involve the upgrading of the road; the reconstructing of existing culverts; the construction of pavement layers; the erection of new road signs and markings, and landscaping.
The contract valued at R52 million has been awarded to Phagama Civil and Maintenance and should be completed by December this year. The contractor is busy establishing a site office and construction work on the road should begin within weeks.
Vadi said that he was confident that smaller contractors will be brought on board in this project and a number of jobs, particularly for women and youth, will be created during the construction period.
For more information, please contact the Department of Roads and Transport
Head of Communications:
Ms Octavia Mamabolo
Tel: 011 355 7300
Cell: 082 316 8666
E-mail: Octavia.Mamabolo@gauteng.gov.za
