Obliterated intersection to finally be repaired

LYDENBURG – The intersection at Voortrekker and Viljoen streets will finally be repaired after years of disintegration, patching and continuous filling.

This comes after an invitation to comment was issued by Maanakana Projects and Consulting. Maanakana was appointed by Zonk Engineering Consultants on behalf of Thaba Chweu Local Municipality (TCLM).

The invitation states that notice is given for the proposed construction of the refurbishment of Voortrekker Street in Lydenburg for TCLM within the Ehlanzeni District Municipality, project no.: TCM/ T01/2019-2020.

Freddy Milambo of Maanakana Projects and Consulting told Steelburger/Lydenburg News that the rehabilitation of the road will start with phase 1, which is the intersection between the two main roads, being Voortrekker and Viljoen streets.

“The first phase of work will be done to refurbish the intersection at these two roads. Construction of the refurbishment will begin at the end of this month (November), hence the invitation to comment.”

Not only will this intersection be refurbished, but the necessary storm water drainage infrastructure will also be provided. The document further stated that phase 1 (the repair of the intersection) of the two provincial passing roads serves as a regional collector road carrying cars, taxis, buses and heavy vehicles from the surrounding communities and businesses.

Residents have been complaining about the state of the intersection for years on end. At one stage, the potholes at this crossroad grew to be as big as a swimming pool, some said. Even though patch repairs were done from time to time by TCLM, the intersection continued to crumble under the heavy load of vehicles and ore-carrying trucks.

After phase 1 has been completed, the rest of the project will commence, being the reconstruction of the two main roads. Milambo said the refurbishment and construction of the road and storm water drainage will also be done in accordance with the Sanral drainage manual or similar norms and standards, or the Human Settlement Planning and Design document.

Interested and affected parties are therefore invited to comment by providing issues of concern and suggestions for enhanced benefits and/or alternatives. For more information about the said project, interested parties can either contact Freddy Milambo at 083-669-1702 or email maanakanaprojects@gmail.com.

The newspaper will keep residents abreast of the rest of the rehabilitation planned for Voortrekker and Viljoen streets. Themba Sibiya, communications manager of TCLM, confirmed the re-construction of the intersection. Sibiya said construction is set to start in November and will take four months to complete.

“The municipality would like to apologise to the affected businesses, motorists and the general public for the inconvenience resulting from the construction. Traffic accommodation layout plans will be issued and signage put up to manage traffic flow during the construction period.”