RESIDENTS must brace themselves for a longer period of traffic chaos in Pinetown as the IRPTN project gradually moves along.
According to Ward 18 councillor, Bruce Sutcliffe, he attended the monthly meeting with eThekwini Transport Authority to discuss the progress on the project, more specifically with regard to the current situation and what progress has been made.
“I was shocked to learn that the project is now approximately nine months behind as far as the Pinetown/New Germany section of the project, with the estimated completion date on this section now being at the end of July. However, it is my belief that even this date is hopeful, as the comment was made by Thami Manyathi, head of eThekwini Traffic Authority, that the project was nine months behind schedule. If this is correct then the completion date will be closer to November,” said Sutcliffe.
While the contractor on the project, Phayindani, has done its best to minimise delays and disruption, and in Sutcliffe’s estimation has done an exceptional job in trying circumstances, the delays have mainly been due to problems with labour, taxis and business forums, as well as poor management at times on the part of ETA.
“One of the most worrying facts is that a vital link section, that being a section of the Dinkelmann Road to the Umgeni Bridge, has still to be awarded, and this is vital as it is the bypass around KwaDabeka. This could create a situation where the whole contract is delayed because of this, or where the buses are re-routed through KwaDabeka, creating major chaos there,” added Sutcliffe.
