Delayed Solomon Mahlangu Drive project will only be completed in 2023/24 financial year
The fast-tracking of the construction comes after the project was hit by vandalism and theft.
Solomon Mahlangu Drive road upgrades will only be completed in July 2023, according to the Gauteng Department of Transport and Logistics.
The work entails creating a two-way route carriage on Road K69 from Lynnwood to Mamelodi and the rehabilitation of the existing carriageway.
It also includes the construction of a bridge over the Pienaars River and three new road-over-rail bridges on the new carriageway.
The upgrade wants to address congestion issues, particularly between Mamelodi and the N4.
It will also promote so-called non-motorised traffic (NMT) by introducing a cycling lane to Solomon Mahlangu Drive.
“The purpose of having a bicycle lane here is twofold. First, it is to promote non-motorised transport. However, in addition to that, we are trying to ensure that the large number of people who cycle to and from work can use the road safely,” said the Tshwane metro.
The R300-million upgrade, which started in 2018, was supposed to have been completed in 2022.
Gauteng transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela created an intervention team to look into the many delays that plagued the project.
The team included officials from design, construction and maintenance units and will closely monitor the project.
Diale-Tlabela blamed the delays on poor contractor performance and community interference among other factors.
This led to her issuing a stern warning to the contractor involved on Friday.
“The Department will start conducting background checks on companies we appoint to run our roads infrastructure construction projects,” she said.
“We have a responsibility to pay the contractor on time, but they must also stick to their end of the contract and perform as agreed.”
She inspected the site along with the roads and transport portfolio committee to engage with anyone affected by project delays.
“We cannot let such important infrastructure affect the economic growth of our townships,” she said.
The fast-tracking of the construction comes after the project was hit by vandalism and theft.
In December 2022, Boschkop police arrested four men near the Skierlik informal settlement when they were caught stealing bricks from the project and loading them onto two bakkies.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Yeroboam Mbatsane said the police were patrolling when they came across the men stealing bricks from the road project – only a few metres away from their own homes.
At the time, he said vandals had removed almost 60% of the pavement.
“Initially, it was not noticeable but gradually they began stealing huge amounts of bricks. At some point, we called the local leaders in the community to address the issue.”
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