PLASTON – Local community members’ delight at the brand-new road surface of the R538 has been slightly dampened by the 60-ton monsters that now fly along it.
Residents along this route have been contending with a veritable minefield of potholes caused by 30- to 60-ton ore-carrying trucks.
About 300 to 500 of these vehicles use this route on a daily basis.
But now that the roadworks (paid for by the mining company that contracts the trucks) are yielding smoother surfaces again, some of these trucks “fly up and down the road at killer speeds,” according to Ms Vivienne Lawrence who lives here. Reports from other residents who are “petrified” to turn in or out of their driveways have also been received. This is being addressed, assured Mr Ray Duba of Phalabora Mining Company (PMC).
He also confirmed that no ore carriers from their mine would use this route from December 20 to January 3.
The roadwork itself is coming along nicely, said Lawrence. Despite promises of a new road for Christmas, most residents are satisfied with the progress that has been made since construction work by KPMGG commenced in September, she told Lowvelder.
It is anticipated to be completed early in 2014. No construction will take place from December 13 to January 7, but a stop-and-go point will remain intact during that time.
To report ore-carrier driver behaviour, contact 0800-022-233 and report the fleet number displayed on the trailer, with the time, location and type of incident.
