Wyebank pipeline project drags on
The Wyebank pipeline project which was scheduled to be completed last year is still nowhere near completion.
TRAVELLING on damaged Wyebank roads, that have been dug up a number of times, has not only become a danger for motorists, but also for pedestrians, including school children who have to dodge oncoming traffic.
Phase 2 of the Western aqueduct, the city’s biggest bulk water pipeline project which was supposed to be finished in April last year, is nowhere near completion according to frustrated residents.
A car was reported to have fallen into one of the deep holes in the road recently.
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Wyebank CPF chairman, Kevin Paliyathan, said last month the construction workers vanished for the week, leaving the site unattended.
“I believe the poor cordoning off of those holes and no clear signs caused the motorist to drive into the hole.”
Paliyathan said they need to know the cause of this hold-up as when this project began, the community was informed it would be finished by April last year. “It’s almost a year later and there is hardly any progression.
“This is a serious problem as our cars are getting damaged, especially our tyres because of the condition of these roads,” he said.
Cornel Smith, a Kloof resident who travels through Wyebank to get to work in New Germany, said that roads have been dug up so many times and residents need to know when the construction workers are going to finish the work in that area.
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“It has been three years now. They tar the roads and dig them up again and they just keep digging and digging. There are potholes everywhere.
“The road is so narrow that it hard for two cars to use this road at the same time. There are also so many pedestrians who are now forced to walk on the roads as there are no pavements,” said Smith.
Ward 19 councillor, Bheki Mvubu, said although he does not know the reasons for the delay, there are serious issues with this project that need to be addressed.
“This is a good project as its intention is to bring water to Durban from the Midmar and Spring Grove Dams which will ensure the eThekwini region has some of the best bulk water infrastructure in the region.
“But these delays are becoming a problem for the community as they were supposed to be finished last year. There are talks between the construction company and eThekwini Water and the Sanitation Department to resolve this matter,” said Mvubu.
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