Residents and road users have been frustrated by the state of Robert Broom Drive from Lud Hersch Drive to the entrance of Sugar Bush Estate.
A project that was expected to be completed in a few months is now said to only be completed in February 2021.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: VIDEO: Spanner in the works for Robert Broom widening
The News approached the Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) about the progress of the project. Sebaka Ramaremela of the Mogale City Project Management Unit explained that Robert Broom Drive is a link between the West Rand and Roodepoort. Phase one of the project was completed in the 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 financial year.
The current construction on Robert Broom forms part of phase two of the project which is under implementation in the current 2020/2021 financial year. Phase two is the widening of a 0,7km stretch of Robert Broom Drive between the housing complex entrance and Lud Hersch Drive. It includes paving the section, storm water drainage and road furniture.
Ramaremela said that a construction company was appointed as the contractors for the widening of this stretch of Robert Broom.
The News enquired about the construction process, the reasons for the delays and when the project was estimated to be completed.
Ramaremela responded for the Public Works Roads and Transport department by saying that the contractor has delayed in completing the project and has therefore been cited for poor performance and placed on penalties for non-compliance. Consultations were then held with stakeholders and it was decided that the contractor would be allowed to complete the works under sanction.
Part of the conditions for the contractor to continue were that they comply with Health and Safety matters, protection and safety of the public, provision of more resources and submission of a recovery plan that will be used to measure performance going forward.
The municipality anticipates that the project will be completed at the end of February 2021 and if the contractor fails to perform again, then the contract with the Municipality may be terminated and an alternative contractor could be appointed to complete the project.
