VANDERBIJLPARK – One of Vanderbijlpark’s worst roads finally got some much-needed attention.

For years, Westinghouse Boulevard has been a nightmare for motorists and residents, with potholes, sewage spills and loose rocks turning the busy road into a danger zone.

But now, the municipality has rolled up its sleeves and is revamping the road.

Construction teams are on site rehabilitating the road, with heavy machinery, trucks and bright construction lights becoming a familiar sight as work continues, even into the evening.

The road’s shocking condition has been widely shared on social media, with angry residents and political leaders putting the spotlight on the municipality’s failure to address the problem.

Residents claim they have reported the condition of the road to Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) for years, but their cries fell on deaf ears.

ELM Mayor Hassan Mako recently visited the site to see the progress for himself.

In a Facebook post, Mako said the municipality must respond to residents’ needs and restore their confidence in government.

During his visit, Mako also pushed back against claims that the project was linked to the upcoming Local Government Elections.

“I’m at Westinghouse, and you would recall I said Vaal will be a construction site. There is a contractor on site to make sure that our aging infrastructure is rehabilitated. This has nothing to do with elections,” he said.

But residents remain divided. Some welcomed the work, while others questioned why it took so long for the municipality to act.

David Radebe praised Mako, saying he hoped the new approach would continue beyond the elections.

But Maswazi Masoai Dlamini Tsoanyana accused the ANCled municipality of acting too late, while Busisiwe Mofokeng warned residents not to be fooled by the project’s timing.