Cullinan roads are being upgraded

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30-05-2022
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Ridge Times
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There is a delay in the projects due to the weather and external issues with the suppliers of refinery products, such as bitumen, a liquid binder that holds asphalt together.

Cullinan residents held a protest march on Oak Avenue in early February this year over the condition in which three roads were left in the historic town.

The residents were fed up and looking for answers.

Residents said that two main streets, Oak Avenue and Range Road, were excavated overnight for no reason and left as is.

The foundation of the two roads consists of a dirt road with a tar surface that caused damage to many residents.

During the march DA councillor JB Bekker, MP Roos, chairpersons Shaun Wilkinson and Leanne de Jager addressed the residents on the project.

The project consists of Range Road, Olienhout Street and half of Oak Avenue.

“The road was excavated because residents asked for the upgrade of the stormwater system. To tackle the task, the road must be redone,” Bekker said.

He said improvement in the stability of the road base which is highly important in road construction has been completed on Oak Avenue and Range Road.

However, there is a delay in the projects due to the weather and external issues with the suppliers of refinery products, such as bitumen, a liquid binder that holds asphalt together.

Bekker asked the community to be patient.

Bitumen production at all refineries in South Africa has been severely affected in one way or another during the past few years.

Natref Refinery is producing bitumen.

Bitumen has less temperature susceptibility whereas tar has more temperature susceptibility and less resistance to weathering action.

“Natref is distributing amongst all customers (including local and export), but only one load per grade per customer per day will be supplied, and as such the production falls well short of even the current locally depressed volume requirements therefore we anticipate supply shortages which could result in cost implications on bitumen,” said Natref’s managing director, Adrian Steele.