Phase 2 of Ferndale’s storm water upgrade project is launched
A golden spade and assurances from the JRA do not satisfy residents at launch of phase two of Ferndale's storm water upgrade project.
Ferndale’s storm water upgrade project moved ahead with much pomp at an official launch of phase two, on June 12, but residents are still apprehensive about it.
MMC for Transport Kenny Kunene, the board of the Johannesburg Roads Agency, and its brand new acting CEO Goodwill Zwelithini Nyathi were accompanied by a small crowd of roads agency staff at the work site, corner Vale Avenue and Bond Street.
They were joined by one or two residents who were only told about the launch, and invited, on the same morning. Kunene and Nyathi posed for photos with a golden spade, to mark the occasion.
“Inadequate storm water pipes along the Klein Jukskei River resulted in water seepage which damaged the boundary walls of numerous surrounding properties and flooded roads,” Kunene said.
“Therefore, in accordance with the storm water Master Plan which determines the specifications for adequate storm water systems, JRA’s bulk storm water upgrade project will alleviate frequent flooding on roads and residential properties in wards 102 and 104 thereby ensuring safety to road users and the community, as well as protection of affected properties.”
Ward 104 councillor Emi Koekemoer said the upgrade was much-needed, especially after many homes in the suburb were flooded in March and saw more than just their boundary walls damaged. She said with Kunene overseeing things this time, the poor workmanship of phase one may not occur again.
ALSO READ: Ferndale’s storm water upgrade project receives new contractor
ALSO READ: Ferndale’s stormwater upgrade project could be a hit or miss
The millions of rands spent on phase one of the project – just for poor workmanship to be done, repaired, and re-done – made residents apprehensive, and those who attended the launch of the R15-million-budgeted phase two, said as much.
Phase one saw cracks in boundary walls, and part of Bond Street needing to be resurfaced after drains were already upgraded. A sinkhole even formed on the corner of Elgin Avenue and Bond Street on the storm water culvert as it was not connected properly.
VIDEO:
Phase two of the Klein Jukskel Bond Stream Bulk Storm water Project will begin on June 20 and is scheduled to be completed by mid-September.
“The second phase entails the installation of a further 56m of storm water pipes and 380m of box culverts, along with associated storm water manholes, kerb inlets, road kerbs, paving, road reinstatement on Bond Street between Pine and Vine avenues, and the applicable signage and markings,” Nyathi explained.
Further details of the next phase of the project will be revealed by the agency at a later date.
Also read:
