Baby steps for N2 roadworks – three and a half years overdue

The South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) has been granted approval by national treasury to appoint a new contractor to complete the N2 roadworks between Ballito and KwaDukuza.

The limbo state of the N2 roadworks has been a growing source of concern for motorists. However, Sanral told the Courier on Tuesday that the process to re-tender the entire project was now underway.

Work to realign the N2 at Umhlali River Bridge and at Umvoti River Bridge began in February 2016 but the road construction hit a wall when the main contractor, Nyoni Projects, was put in liquidation after having been paid R15,5 million by Sanral, who had to re-tender the entire contract. It was reported the company simply dug up the road and disappeared.

The project is now more than three and a half years overdue.

Eastern Region project manager Ridhwaan Mohamed said the incomplete roadworks were unfortunate as it was never Sanral’s intention for the work to be delayed for such a prolonged period.

While the state-owned national roads agency has been upfront about the regulatory difficulties experienced in the re-issuing of the contract, it has laid the blame entirely at the door of the national treasury.

“We encountered many challenges along the way with national treasury in terms of appointing a new contractor as well as ensuring continuity regarding supervision.

There has also been the issue around sub-contracting of works which has delayed all projects by Sanral. Without getting this approval from treasury, it was impossible for Sanral to proceed and appoint a new contractor to complete the work,” Mohamed said.

The agency added that issues round sub-contracting of works in keeping with national policies on economic transformation had also delayed all projects undertaken by Sanral.

“We have only recently been given approval to go ahead using the same supervision consultant and procuring a new contractor,” said Mahomed.

He added that four of the original contractors were invited to a tender briefing meeting as well as visited the site on August, 21 with representatives from Sanral and the supervising consulting engineer.

“These are all contractors graded by the CIDB and well capable of completing this contract. Tenders will close mid-September.

“An award to the successful contractor will then be made before year end.

The construction period is estimated at 10 months.

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