Letter: No progress on N2

A few months back I read a letter in your newspaper regarding the lack of progress on the road works on the N2 over the Umhlali river bridge.

To date there has been no updates/reasons for the complete lack of work undertaken on this section of the northbound lanes.

The last time I saw anything that resembles work being undertaken on this deviation was in the middle of December last year on the day the builders closed for their annual break.

Since then nothing has happened apart from many serious accidents. The narrowing of the road down to one lane continues to cause accidents, particularly at night.

Is this another case of bad financial management / no qualified project management, or a complete case of “Couldn’t care less” by the authorities?

KEN EVANS

Tinley Manor

SANRAL Eastern region project manager Ridhwaan Mahomed responds:

The contract has been delayed due to quality control issues on the site.

The main cause of the delay is that the contractor is unable to obtain suitable pavement material (asphalt etc) that meets the contract specifications in terms of quality.

Two local suppliers have supplied material that does not meet the project specifications.

It is the duty of South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited as the owner of the facility to ensure that the proper quality of material as specified under the contract are being used to ensure that the final product meets our standards in terms of design life and is safe for motorists.

A number of road testing laboratories have been involved in the retesting to ensure that the results are representative of the material that has been placed.

SANRAL has been engaging with both the contractor and consultant firm undertaking the supervision of the construction works to ensure that the works can commence again as soon as possible.

We understand the frustration of the motorists and sincerely request that they bear with us as we are trying our utmost to resolve the delays.