Future of Laurie Road circle questioned
It is unknown whether construction of the Laurie Road circle will continue in the near future.
Concerned residents contacted the NEWS last week to report that there had been no movement at the site for three weeks.
In addition to yet another possible stoppage of work on the project, temporary roads around the area have deteriorated.
Motorists who make use of the road on a daily basis risk serious damage to their vehicles.
As a main feeder road, Laurie Road notoriously carries large volumes of traffic.
This would not be the first time construction of the circle was halted.
In September 2013, The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) confirmed that traffic calming measures in the form of a circle were in the offing for Laurie Road.
This followed the death of 17-year-old Skye Wilsnagh on the road on August 21 of the same year.
In June 2014, merely a week after work on the circle had finally commenced, the construction was halted when contractors encountered a problem with a water line.
Following an outcry from residents, the construction was started and then abandoned again in September, when the budget set aside for the project fell short of what was needed.
The road was left to crumble.
Insufficient budget allocation meant that initial estimates that the project would be completed by the end of July this year were also extended.
It was believed the underestimation of funds was the region of R1-million.
It was also found that there is a water line within the area of construction, of which contractors were unaware.
The water line needed to be moved before construction could continue.
In July this year, the EMM announced a planned water supply interruption to facilitate the relocation.
Last week the NEWS questioned the EMM on whether construction of the circle was ongoing or whether it had again been halted.
Residents have widely speculated that the project had again run out of funds and the NEWS also asked council if this was true.
Also among the NEWS’ questions was whether council would ensure the temporary service roads would be graded to avoid damage to vehicles which would result in claims against council.
The NEWS’ enquiry was sent to the EMM’s communications official, Mr Themba Gadebe, on Tuesday September 22. Comment was requested by Friday, September 25.
At the time of going to print, no comment was received from the EMM.
