Project to revamp roads in Pietermaritzburg

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20-05-2024
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The Witness
Source

This is part of a multi-million rand road rehabilitation project that Msunduzi Municipality has embarked on targeting pothole-riddled areas across the city.

Greyling Street in the Pietermaritzburg CBD is receiving an R8 million facelift, along with other roads in the CBD and surrounding townships.

This is part of a multi-million rand road rehabilitation project that Msunduzi Municipality has embarked on targeting pothole-riddled areas across the city.

This week, Msunduzi Mayor Mzimkhulu Thebolla launched the rehabilitation of the roads in Azalea to the tune of R6,1 million. The project will run over the next four months.

Another R17 million was spent on enhancing the road infrastructure along Prince Alfred Street, while R8 million has been invested into upgrading Greyling Street at its junction with Walthew Square, with two layers of material and stormwater drainage.

Thebolla said there were other targeted roads like parts of Langalibalele Street and some township roads.

We want to finish the road rehabilitation project before the end of the financial year, which is June. That, however, does not mean that everything will be completed by June

Asked if the process went through the committees up to the tender process, Thebolla said the city had adopted a budget implementation plan that speaks to project implementation.

“We have a panel of service providers that deal with project implementation so everything has been done according to the book.

“Investing in road rehabilitation not only enhances transportation but also contributes to the overall development of the target areas,” said Thebolla.

He said the Azalea project has provided job opportunities to 15 community members in a bid to support the local economy ensuring the benefits of the project directly impact the residents.

Infrastructure development projects like this play a significant role in uplifting communities and improving their quality of life.

“The infrastructure development is a part of many other projects the municipality is currently busy with, which is going to uplift and bring development within Msunduzi,” said Thebolla.

He said part of the rehabilitation effort in Greyling Street and the corner of Walthew Square entailed the ongoing removal of all obstructions from the road.

Additionally, upgrades to the stormwater drainage system, while currently operational, require maintenance to mitigate flood risks effectively.

“Schools and businesses located along this route will benefit from these repairs, as they will ensure smoother traffic flow and enhanced safety for all road users. We will make sure that the roads are user-friendly and up to the standard expected at the City of Choice,” he said.

Motorists who frequent Greyling Street when they deliver children to and from the primary school in the area said they hoped that the road would be tarred.

They said it was difficult for them to operate in the area because of the state of the road especially when it was raining.

One of the motorists, Philisiwe Mthombeni said it was a relief to finally see graders levelling the area.

“Some motorists would drop children off at the corner of Retief and Greyling Streets and the children would have to walk about five minutes to their school premises.

“That is dangerous for primary school children. We hope that it will be levelled with tar,” said Mthombeni.