More than 320 workers have been mobilised to accelerate repairs and rehabilitation work on the R34, a key route connecting Vryheid, Nquthu, Newcastle and Mpumalanga province.

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma said the provincial government had declared potholes ‘public enemy number on’ as it works to address deteriorating roads across the province.

320 workers deployed to repair R34

Duma said more than 320 workers from the Empangeni and Ladysmith regions had been assembled to accelerate the fixing and rehabilitation of the R34, making its condition significant for residents, commuters, farmers and businesses that rely on the road to transport people and goods.

Duma also said the provincial government had taken a different approach to addressing potholes, following concerns about contractors who provide poor services or abandon projects before completing them.

“Instead of awarding tenders, sometimes to companies that provide shoddy service and disappear without finishing the work, we have taken a bold decision to employ permanent workers who are now focusing on the fixing of potholes,” said Duma.

Although the province is operating with a limited budget, Duma said government was responding to requests from members of the public and businesses for pothole repairs while awaiting sufficient funding.

Road damage worsened by rain and traffic

The R34 is among the roads receiving attention after engineers found that prolonged rainfall and heavy traffic had contributed to extensive damage to the road network.

According to an assessment report tabled by provincial engineers, unsealed cracks have allowed water to enter the pavement structure, accelerating the deterioration of the road layers and contributing to potholes, ravelling and other surface failures.

The delayed sealing of cracks, which Duma attributed to limited budgets, has contributed to the progression of pavement damage observed during inspections.

As a short-term measure, priority has been given to blacktop patching to make damaged sections safe, cleaning drainage facilities, clearing overgrown road verges and sealing open pavement cracks.

These interventions are intended to address critical defects, improve drainage, prevent further water from entering the pavement and maintain the safety and serviceability of the road while planned rehabilitation work is awaited.

P54 also targeted for major facelift

The P54, a Class R2 road stretching 38.8km, is also receiving attention.

The route provides a strategic link between Blood River and Nquthu, branching south from the R34/R33 intersection near the historic Blood River Monument precinct before continuing generally south-east towards Nquthu.

The rehabilitation of the province’s road network was also raised during the Transport Indaba, where the need to improve road infrastructure and support economic activity was highlighted.

Duma said government viewed the road network as an important driver of socio-economic development and a means of improving the quality of life of residents.

“Our view is that our road network must drive socio-economic development and improve the quality of lives of all citizens,” he said.

Better roads to support economy and services

Duma said improved roads were essential for farmers and other producers to transport agricultural products and goods, while also ensuring that learners and public servants could travel safely to schools and workplaces.

“We want workers to be at work and grow the economy of the province. Farmers and other producers must transport agricultural products and other goods,” he said.

“Learners must be at school and learn, teachers must be at school and teach. All other civil servants must be at work and strengthening service delivery.”

The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.