MEC resolves stalemate, K69 road project set to resume

MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela headed the Portfolio Committee on Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, to oversee the K69 Road (Solomon Mahlangu Drive) construction project in Mamelodi, City of Tshwane. The project has been significantly delayed due to poor contractor performance, encroachment on the road reserve, and community stoppages, which have affected the completion date as reported by Gauteng.gov.za.

During the visit, the MEC expressed her concern and disappointment with the project’s progress, indicating that the Department will conduct background checks on companies that run road infrastructure construction projects to ensure that contractors perform as agreed. She also warned the contractor that the Department would not tolerate further delays that could affect the economic growth of townships.

The K69 Road construction project connects Mamelodi with the rest of Tshwane. The Department is committed to fast-tracking infrastructure delivery in townships, informal settlements, and hostels. The Department engaged with stakeholders affected by the project delays and assured them the project would be completed in the 2023/24 financial year. To ensure transport infrastructure quality, the Department established a Rapid Response Unit to inspect the 5638 km of the road network under its jurisdiction.

To closely monitor the delivery of the project, the MEC established a project intervention team comprising officials from Directorates: Design, Construction, and Maintenance. Meanwhile, the contractor appointed to construct R554 (D405) in the Eikenhof area has returned to the site. As a result, the roadworks are expected to resume and be completed according to the schedule.

Photo: Facebook / @Gauteng Roads and Transport Department