About 44% of rehabilitation work remains to be carried out on the Mzimkhulu River bridge in Port Shepstone, with the revised completion date now set for September 26.

This was revealed at a stakeholders’ meeting at Ray Nkonyeni Municipality council chambers last Friday.
The KZN Department of Transport’s (DoT) chief director, Muzi Sithole, mentioned that all outstanding payments have been paid to the contractor.

He added, with the contractor Yena Uyabusa back on site, traffic will now be controlled round the clock.
Some of the work that needs to be done on the bridge are concrete repairs and jacking of pillar two. The bridge will be closed for eight hours when jacking occirs, with the day and time communicated to the public.

Yena Uyabusa director, Gerard Peters, has assured that the goal is to complete the project.

Furthermore, Sithole said that the N2 toll waiver is off the table, as there has been no response from SANRAL and the Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy’s office.

Meanwhile, users of the R102 will have to wait for at least two months before work resumes with a new contractor. This is due to the cancellation of the contract between the current contractor, Jamjo Civils and DoT.

According to Sithole, Jamjo, which was paid R32m only did 8% of the work scope and are 41 weeks behind schedule, and the department has found it non-performing.

Joan Gallagher of the Bendigo Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association requested whether Link and Commercial roads in Umtentweni, which are under DoT, could be repaired before the new contractor starts.

Further updates on both projects will be provided at a meeting later in the month.

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